Apologies! I was so busy answering all the emails and facebook messages on our “storm in a teacup” signs dispute with Taupo Council, I forgot to update the Daily Report today. (see TRM Daily Report yesterday, Friday, for historical – aka hysterical? – background.)
Thank you to everyone for all the letters and emails of support – gratefully appreciated. Following are typical to reflect the local opinions on Council’s bullying… and more entertaining than another fishy story for your weekend reading.
x Facebook: I too have been travelling to Turangi from Wellington for a number of years to fly fish. Over the years I have discovered there is so much more to this great little township to the extent I have now chosen to live here. The rates I pay to Taupo District Council don’t differ much from the rates I was paying in Wellington. It appears to me that TDC is more than happy to take our money in the form of rates but chooses to do little to assist in the growth of this town. I am aware that the council also picked on another business in this town (in making silly issues over consents) when they were trying to create new premises to accommodate new business for the township. For them too it was appearing to be a personal vendetta.What is it with you TDC? Do you really not want to see this little town prosper. Time to come clean I think.!!!! I suspect there are some good people within the council but quite clearly there are some there who need to get a life or at least take a look at themselves and the bigger picture . Shape up or ship out.
Copy of email addressed to all Taupo Councillors: (the writer, Graham Carter is the chairman of New Zealand Federation of Fresh Water Anglers and also editor of Fishing & Outdoors Newspaper.)Council bullying bringing shame on the Taupo Council
I am a Hamiltonian fly fisherman that visits Turangi on a regular basis with my family staying in local accommodation and various motels.
We have stayed at the Tongariro River Motels and found the owner Ross very accommodating and an incredible host that promotes Turangi as a great place to fish, dine and enjoy.
The services he provides for the town are exceptional. I would venture to say that this man and his business have single-handedly done more than the average Joe Blogg’s effort to promote his region.
So why are the Council picking on him? Council should be highly commending this man – not punishing him.
The Taupo Fishery brings in over $70 million annually to the Taupo region. This does not include assets purchased like holiday homes or boats.
You the Council and the Taupo region need hosts of this man’s calibre not idiotic Council bureaucrats that are nit-picking for some pathetic petty that probably needs updating.
I believe that the history behind the original sign shows that while no resource consent was issued the motel proprietor’s efforts to promote the region should be supported not hindered as Turangi needs every bit of support it can get as it really is the hidden jewel of the Taupo area.
The proprietor promotes Turangi and our Lake Taupo fishery daily on the international and local scene as their marketing abilities promoting Turangi are priceless!!! I doubt the Council do as much and couldn’t afford to pay for what the proprietor achieves. .. just ask any ratepayer or angler!
The Taupo District Council and Department of Conservation – Tongariro would do well to capture some of their magic.
The bureaucrats in the Taupo District Council are making decisions behind the backs of Councillors and need to be held accountable.
From the Tongariro Motels facebook page:
In response to blogs from others: TRM’s sign now has a “retrospective” resource consent after Council’s 2017 threat of a $300 fine but now they are requiring the directional signage – “Turn left to Tongariro River, Turn right to Town centre” – removed. These were added as a public service – after 12 years of tourists at TRM asking where to go. TDC have now threatened us with an Environmental Court hearing if we do not remove them? What a waste of ratepayers money. How pedantic! After we refused to pay their fine they removed all TRM brochures from their visitor centre, removed TRM from Council’s tourist accommodation website, and their latest nasty trick was to place TRM in a flood hazard zone. Only us… In over 50 years TRM has never been flooded but that just shows how petty minded TDC compliance officers are to Turangi residents.
You folk as elected Counciloors need to step up and put a stop to this petty minded bureaucratic rubbish and stop the embarrassment on the Taupo District Council.
Taupo Fishery brings in over $70 million annually to the Taupo region. This does not include assets purchased like holiday homes or boats(refer DOC). Our district..and especially Turangi can credit two businesses for bringing in a huge amount of these tourism dollars $$$$$$$$$$$$$
They promote Turangi and our Lake Taupo fishery daily on the international and local scene.
Their marketing abilities promoting our place are priceless!!!
We couldn’t afford to pay for what they achieve. ..ask any ratepayer or angler!
Taupo District Council and Department of Conservation – Tongariro would do well to capture some of their magic.
Big thumbs up to Sporting Life Fishing Outfitters – Turangi and Tongariro River Motel
YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!