Group to study station options

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 266, 6 December 1988, Page 1

Group to study station options

A plan to develop the Ohakune Junction Railway Station as a tourism project is to be investigated for the Ruapehu South Business Association.

The group has applied for a regional develop- , ment grant to cover the expenses of an investigation into t h e feasibility of a tourist development at the station. Association chairwoman Sue Allomes said yesterday the group has applied for the maximum allowed which is $20,000. They have been told to expect an answer next week, she said. The investigation would call on the expertise of such people as architects, landscape gardeners and marketing planners to help decide the feasibility of a tourist project and to provide information on what types of development would be successful. Funding for any project would also come under investigation, said Mrs Allomes. Suggestions for the project to date have included the setting up of a visitor centre, a restaurant and an outlet

for local handcrafts. Mrs Allomes said the Waimarino District

Council have given their approval, in principle, to the idea. She also said Railways are "right behind the project". At present a private individual has a two year lease on the build-

ing which could be extended if the project were to proceed, said Mrs Allomes. She said the lessee did not see himself being involved in the project and that the investigation would include looking at the

legal aspects of the lease for the Association. The group hopes to have the study complete by February, if the funds become available, with "something underway by June 1989".