25/10/2005

Oto speed weekend waits for - green light

A proposed 'Speed Weekend' in Otorohanga may still get the green light despite hitting the brakes last month.
At an Otorohanga District Council meeting on August 30 an application from Hamilton Car Club to stage the Speed Weekend event was declined.
The decision was made based on the extended periods of road closure required, the short amount of notice given by the club and the busy time of year for the farming community.
At the August meeting councillor Sue Blackler said closing roads for the amount of time required would not be justifiable during the spring farming season.
"I just can't see how the event could possibly be going for that time. To close those roads for this amount of time is too much to ask," she said.
However, despite their first application being declined the Hamilton Car Club remains eager to hold the event and has taken steps to address council's concerns.
Originally planned for September 29-30, the Speed Weekend has now been rescheduled for November 12-13.
If it goes ahead it will see sections of Pekanui, Puketawai and Whawharua Rds closed during these days.
No-exit roads such as Scott, Smith, Irvine, Pinny and Bonner Rds will also be used.
In order to allow residents access to and from their properties during the event, 15 minute 'safe passage' periods will be held every hour.
The club has also taken steps to gain approval from residents affected by the closures, collecting signatures from most people concerned.
One resident who did not give his initial approval to the event has since agreed after arranging to keep in phone contact with organisers in case he needs immediate access to and from his property during the event.
Deputy mayor Hugh Earwaker said he was pleased the organisers had taken steps to address council's concerns.
"I congratulate them -- they've got out and done their own work on it."
Council agreed to approve the application depending on whether or not there are any public objections.
An advertisement notifying the proposed road closures was published in the Waitomo News on Thursday, October 13.
Anyone wanting to object to the closures can do so in writing to the council by November 7.
The Hamilton Car Club plans to donate some of the proceeds from the event's service area barbecues and car washes to Trust in Justin.

Superior dog, exercise. area proposed for Otorohanga

A new proposal from Otorohanga District Council may get tails wagging.
The council is proposing to move the town's dog exercise area to a "superior location" following the recent tender of the floodbank grazing leases.
The issue was discussed at a council meeting on October 11.
When the dog exercise area was first established prior to September 2004, the former riverbank leases meant suitable sites for the exercise area were limited.
Currently located on the Waipa River floodbank, downriver from the SH3 bridge at the southern entrance of Otorohanga, the council proposes to move the dog exercise area so it is upstream from the bridge.
As this land has recently been tendered for grazing it was possible for council to include the exercise area in the new lease and an agreement has been made with the lease holder.
The proposed site has already been considered by the local Dog Obedience Club and Otorohanga Community board, and is considered a "superior location".
Two entrances to the proposed site will be made off Huiputea Dr near the overbridge and off the reserve near the skate park.
Mayor Dale Williams believes one of the benefits of the new site is it will be much more accessible to travellers.
"It's a great spot because for people in campervans who have little dogs and are always looking for somewhere to stop and have a sprint, it is ideal," he said.
However, in order to formalise the new location the existing policy and bylaw must firstly be amended and public consultation occur.