18/05/2006

In support of Kiwitown Park

I am not a resident but I work in Otorohanga and spend each day in the town.
I am a ca mpervan owner and user and I have stayed in camping grounds from Dunedin to Auckland.
I like camps which are quiet and I really enjoy the camps with plenty of shade.
The campervan and motorhome fraternity have a very good 'grapevine' and are always ready to pass on information about 'good' places to stay and those which are 'not so good.
Yes, good facilities are important and the council-run camp could easily and, for little cost improve the facilities at the camping ground rather than spend huge amounts of money building another camping ground further out of town.
This area is a tourist destination and the camping ground could become even more of an asset than it is already.
The council-run camping ground in Orewa is a very good example of a camping ground that is being promoted and improved to good affect and the town benefits from having the camp users shop and spend their money in the town.
I feel Otorohanga should be holding on to its camping facility and even improving it.
Surely competition is good for every business. If a business is run well it should not be afraid of competition.
Camper, Te Awamutu

To suggest closing our local camping facility in Domain Drive shows the type of people in our local council - if something works, close it.
Years ago the number of people who used to ask me if there was a local facility for campers was legion. At that time we had nothing and they had to move on.
Then the powers that be decided on making a camping ground.
We notice the caravans using our facility now and it is a welcome sight.
Otorohanga also has not voiced its praise for the work Bill Miller puts in for our town.
He has been a star in the town, but does not get the praise he deserves.
Just leave our local camping site.
We wonder out there who is responsible for this ridiculous rumour.
S A Galvin, Otorohanga

ODC speaks out about Kiwi park

Otorohanga mayor Dale Williams has refuted claims that any decision has been made regarding Domain Reserve development, or that lack of public consultation is an issue.
"So far no decision has been made about the future of the holiday park," said Mr Williams.
The Otorohanga Zoological Society put term goals in place - one being to increase visitor numbers from about 50,000 people per annum to 100,000 people in five years.
Otorohanga District Council, the Otorohanga District Development Board and the society commissioned a consultant in December 2004 to brainstorm concepts to help the society reach that objective.
The consultant produced the stage one concept early last year.
Stage two involved extensive consultation with all interested parties including the Otorohanga Lions Club and Kiwi Town Holiday Park manager Bill Millar.
"The overwhelming response was that stage three [the business case, due to arrive soon] should proceed," said Mr Williams.
The stage two concept made several suggestions including development of the holiday park, netball courts, Bob Horsfall Reserve, Domain Reserve and others.
"We felt it only right to include all these groups in a public consultation, at which Bill and Stan Sircombe were both present, so it is incorrect to say there has been no public consultation," said Mr Williams.
"Other organisations involved, such as the netball club, were very happy with what was proposed." Mr Williams said council is in no way pushing Mr Millar out of Kiwitown Holiday Park.
"Bill Millar's lease on the holiday park expired in March. Council negotiated with Bill prior to expire, and offered to extend the lease for a further year to give an opportunity to explore options.
"In the past he has tendered to get the lease. This time out of courtesy and appreciation of his service, we gave it to him at the existing terms.
"He has always known it would expire this year, so it is wrong to conclude that he is in any way being thrown out. He purchased the lease knowing when it would expire.
"I'm not going to debate the pros and cons of other camping facilities, but suffice to say back in the 1970s, there was only a council-owned holiday park, now there is one other private - not ratepayer-operated facility, with another having consent to be built on Kawhia Rd, SH39.
"I believe there is no longer the need for council and ratepayers to be in the accommodation industry, when those needs are being adequately met privately."
Mr Williams said council is extremely grateful for the work Otorohanga Lions did on the project. "We value the partnership with all service clubs in the district - but the holiday park was developed more than 30 years ago.
"It has served the community well for that time. It was a project completed to suit the needs of the community back then.
"The people of today are telling us they want the Kiwi House area to be upgraded to complement the Kiwiana branding, and better suit tourists' expectations of a modern attraction.
"Times change, and so do the wishes of the people for their reserves and public areas.
"I don't believe it's in the spirit of service club contributions they would want to have a claim on their projects for all time.
"It's my belief that service clubs voluntarily serve their communities in the best way they can for the foreseeable future, and Otorohanga Lions Clubs does that very well," said Mr Williams.
Otorohanga Zoological Society president Nancy Jensen is excited about the prospect of development of the Domain Reserve, including the Kiwi House.
"We are delighted by the support that council has shown us on reaching our objective.
"The Kiwi House is a major attraction, and brings a lot of visitors into town. The redevelopment will allow us to cope with a lot more visitors, which is the long-term goal," said Mrs Jensen.
Other options to be considered at the tourist attraction include the possibility of a new Kiwi enclosure, improved incubation and breeding facilities, cafe or restaurant facilities, a new retail shop, and modern theatrette.

Lions disheartened by closure of Kiwitown

Otorohanga Lions Club members are disheartened by news of the possible closure of Kiwitown Holiday Park.
Particularly members who were involved in fundraising and construction of the camping ground - members like Stan Sircombe.
Mr Sircombe was chairman of the committee which established the camping ground, some 30
years ago.
"I know the fate of the holiday park is all up in the air at present," said Mr Sircombe.
"But as a whole, the [Otorohanga Lions] club are a little annoyed, because we put a lot of hard work into getting that camping ground up and running.
"In a way, the park was gifted to Otorohanga District Council to look after, and for them to just turn around and scrap it is a bit on the nose, I think."
Mr Sircombe said not only was a lot of money put into the park, but many hours of manpower. Alone, he put about 250 hours of labour into its creation.
"If you ask me, council has a hidden agenda here. The other park in Otorohanga isn' t doing as well as it should - probably due to the location and noise," said Mr Sircombe.
"And to close Kiwi Town would probably benefit the other park."
Mr Sircombe said he, and other Lions members were most concerned with the way council had dealt with the issue.
"There has been no consultation with the public, yet they bring down a consultant from Auckland. There's too much bulldozing going on," he said.