18/04/2006

Holiday park under threat

The future of torohanga's Kiwi Town Holiday Park is uncertain.
The park was set up by the Otorohanga Lions Club as accommodation for visitors to the nearby Kiwi House, but its existence is now threatened by plans to redevelop the famous attraction.
The holiday park is situated on Department of Conservation land in Domain Dr. The land is administered by the torohanga District Council.
Local taxi driver Bill Millar has managaed it since its inception more than 30 years ago.
Council usually grants him a three-year lease, but in November Mr Millar was informed his lease was only for one year. It was issued alongside a report warning about the park's possible closure.
"I was just shocked," said Mr Millar.
"The park was built in a great community effort, and I think it's a real insult to the Lions club to close it down. The town will be losing out.
"If you ask me, it's a bit of tongue and cheek from these guys coming down from Auckland, anct telling t s how to run our town."
A petition to keep the park has been coordinated by Tauranga resident Arthur Willis, Mr Willis is an ex-resident, who often returns to Otorohanga for holidays.
"People have been sending in the most beautiful remarks about the holiday park, and others are also encouraged to send in letters of support to ODC, Otorohanga Lions Club, and the Waitotno News," said Mr Millar.
Council chief executive David Hall confirmed the Kiwitown Holiday Park land was involved in a review of Otorohanga Kiwi House, but said a final decision on its future has not been made.
"We haven't come to any decision about anything yet," said Mr Hall.
"We are looking at our options with all of this area. I'm not sure if we can even afford to do anything with it yet."
He expects council will come to a decision. in about six months.
"If the holiday park closed, I'm confident the town could be adequately serviced by Huiputea Drive's Otorohanga Holiday Park," said Mr Hall.
A proposal for a new holiday park in Otorohanga west has also been made.
"I don't know how many businesspeople are aware of what is going on, but they should be," said Mr Millar.

Hand up, not hand out

Otorohanga District Council will issue Otorohanga Community Board a "please explain" after the board suggested a piece of land be given to Christian organisation Habitat For Humanity at no cost.
Council wants clarification of the board's reason for the "handout".
The Merrins Ave property is the proposed site for the towns Habitat For Humanity project, which will see a deserving family receive the land at no cost, on which to build a home.
The land is' owned 50 / 50 by council and the community board.
However, when brought to councillors' attention at Tuesday's meeting, some did not agree with the board's proposal of gifting the land.
Habitat For Humanity's slogan is "a hand up, not a hand out," said councillor Deborah Pilkington.
"I see this proposal as a definite hand out, not just a hand up.
"I don't believe we should be giving the land to Habitat at no cost," said councillor Sue Blackler.
"I think supplying it at a reasonable cost would be more appropriate."
Other councillors expressed concerns about giving 'all' to one family, when there were plenty of families in the area who could use financial help.
Mayor Dale Williams recommended council inform the community board of their concerns, and get the board's reasoning behind their "no cost" proposal clarified.
The recommendation was received.
"In all fairness, Habitat didn't come to us asking for a handout, it was offered to them," said Mr Williams.
Habitat For Humanity works to eliminate substandard housing by building and selling simple decent homes on a "no interest, nonprofit" basis.
The organisation has previously carried out similar projects in Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Taupiri, Putaruru and Tokoroa.
An undisclosed family with five children has been chosen as recipients for the organisation's assistance in Otorohanga.