Meeting notice & Turangi Economic Development Strategy

From:

Just a reminder to the community of Turangi that tomorrow evening (Tuesday 7 November) there is a Public Meeting organised by the Holmes Group to present further information relating to the proposed development at 25 Te Arahori Street.

This proposed development, as an  on-going operation of both the BP Service Centre and the Quick Service Restaurant, is expected to generate economic activity within the Turangi District of $4m per annum and is likely to generate a total of 62 jobs. 

For all of us who have an interest in this proposal, whatever your views regarding the effects it may have on the future of Turangi, please come along. This public meeting is an opportunity for the entire community to hear directly from the Holmes Group on their proposal.

A series of short presentations addressing a number of consent topics will be followed by a question & answer session.  

Local meeting…

The developer’s promotional meeting on the proposal above – to redevelop the Parklands property (in a residential zone!) with a 24 hour petrol station and fast foods outlet on the main intersection leading into Turangi, is generally at odds with TEDS (Turangi Economic Development Strategy), so it should be an interesting meeting.

The redevelopment proposal has stirred up a lot of intense local interest and criticism and generally divided Turangi, with those living or owning holiday property on the eastern river side of SH1 mainly opposed and those living on the western town side mainly supporting the proposal.

The former are fearful of noisy commercial intrusion on their quiet residential retirement life style area.  The latter (who outnumber the former) anticipate more “jobs” and support any such investment to create such (part time?) jobs in Turangi.

(SWMBO – She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything at TRM – typically remains annoyingly diplomatically neutral on any merits of this proposal, neither for or against, a bit like ‘Switzerland’.)

Watch this space.

Turangi Economic Development Strategy

Also TRM have often been asked about the recommendations in the long awaited Turangi Economic Development Strategy (TEDS) Report – that was produced a few months ago.

In particular absentee ratepayers, who have holiday homes but do not live here permanently, are intrigued by anything that might recognise the obvious geographical advantages and tourism potential that Turangi has to offer. 

They have often expressed frustration and bewilderment as to why Turangi has not progressed further considering the natural tourism advantages, compared to many other tourist towns. 

So the TEDS report was studied with more than usual interest.

 https://www.gotongariro.co.nz/blog/754743
To those that have responded so far, the most pleasing aspect in the TEDS report was the top ranking in the “Action Planning Matrix” for tourism where the T2T (Taupo to Turangi trail) was awarded a “Transformational” priority status.  
The report described this: “Transformational” – the action has the potential to deliver substantial long-term benefits and is strongly aligned with the Vision and Priorities.”
Wonderful news, although most locals suggested the report cost ($55,000?) was a complete waste of money?.  Now we wait to see if the action plan is followed through by the Council – some claim that would be unusual?.   Due to all the interest from inmates and others, TRM Daily Report will try to keep readers informed on this (even if it has nothing really to do with fishing, it is important as it determines the contribution and added value of trout fishing tourists to Turangi’s struggling local economy). 
Unfortunately the report did not consider (or did not know?) the longer vision of extending the T2T and Tongariro River Trail south to link with the other trails including Pillars of Hercules to Tree Trunk Road and beyond across the Desert Road to the Waihohonu Track.  This should become one of NZ’s Great Walks in the future.
Many others – from the local MP Louise Upston to the Taupo Mayor etc. have previously suggested and gone on record to confirm the extended biking/walking trails along the Tongariro River banks linking various DOC tracks will be the major turning point for the future of Turangi.  Anglers (& TRM) support it to provide further access to many up-river pools that are only accessible by raft at present.

For those interested, the “final” edited copy is 74 pages – although we were told the original was over 200?  Many local residents are asking why it was edited at all? And by who?

TRM welcome your feedback on this report…  The link is:

https://www.gotongariro.co.nz/blog/754743