No park map P.O. move mooted

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 30, 21 December 1987, Page 15

No park map P.O. move mooted

Whanganui National Park users will not have an official map of the park before spring next year. A map is being prepared by cartographers at the Department of Survey and Land Information, but it will take up to 11 months to complete.

The information department is reported to have had to wait till the park was gazetted before making a start on the map. Problems with the environmental groups' restructuring have meant the park has been without an official map for its first year. The possibility of producing an interim map has been explored and this could be available about March 1988. The Department of Conservation had looked at the producing of a map of the park and the Wanganui district but rejected the idea as too expensive because of the royalties that would have to be paid to the DoSLI. Park users will have to make do with a brochure that is available which includes a locality map, or the large scale New Zealand Topographical maps.

Ohakune Borough Councillors were enthusiastic about a proposal received from the Ruapehu South Business Association, to acquire the former Ohakune Junction Post Office for use as an information centre, housing a museum, craft and souvenir shops. Council heard that the Business Association were awaiting a reply from the Land Corporation regarding

purchase of the building. It is their intention to relocate the building to a site more centralised and to restore it to a 1914 facade, set back from the footpath with cobbled courtyard, seating and gardens. The location of the building will be decided upon once approval is obtained. Another project being considered is the restoration of Ohakune's old band rotunda, disnlantled in 1948. The rotunda is believed to be in storage somewhere in the town.