Above is the proposal for a major new service centre proposed on the eastern side of the main road intersection in the residential zone of Turangi.
It involves a new 24 hour petrol station and fast food outlet in front of the existing Parklands motel.
This proposal has been very controversial with a record number of submissions for and against.
Many TRM inmates and others have been regularly visiting Turangi for many years and are not even aware of it.
Many own holiday homes in Turangi on the eastern side of SH1 where they may be affected? These regular visitors are the economic life blood in a small village (resident population about 3,000) like Turangi relying on tourism for future prosperity.
So TRM would be interested to see what you regular visitors think of it. Simply, would it be good for Turangi or not?
In a small town, everyone has an opinion. i.e. Do you think is it really needed? Did you know there is not any other 24 hour service centre on the eastern side of SH 1 between Tokoroa (115km north) and Taihape (91 km south)… so it is needed? That is a long drive without a pee stop.
Some say any commercial development in a residential zone is totally unacceptable?.
Others suggest they would never stay in a motel next to a 24 hour petrol station?
Others believe the opponents are being overly ‘NIMBY’ – Not In My Back Yard objectors?.
Some are scared that the proposal will generate noisy smelly commercial truck traffic through the quiet Taupahi Road residential neighbourhood. Others claim Turangi desperately needs any new commercial business that will provide new employment opportunities. Others do not want a roundabout on SH1. A few others don’t care either way.
As a result, TRM management – SWMBO – has often been asked of Her opinion for this proposal. (Quite wisely they never ask me.) So far She remains neutral (as in Switzerland?) neither for or against.
But it has divided opinions locally, many are quite stroppy about it.
Being located on a similar corner to SH1 about 200m to the right of the plan above, TRM have been criticised for both, not opposing it and not supporting it?
We know we cannot win. So what do you think?
Click Here for further information.
Just for JAFAS – Auckland visitors – look at the peak traffic congestion. The above image was taken during rush hour… That is more like a Turangi traffic jam below…