When developing the plan for the railway station the community board considered multiple options for the station. These included revitalising the trail station in the current location and even considered options for moving it to another location within the township. Due to the proximity of the railway station to the main street and because of its heritage value, the board have indicated their preferred option as option one - the revitalisation of the station in its current location.
This would include creating a railway station precinct that leans into the heritage of the site. This would include some landscaping and use of other railway items within the town to enhance and beautify the site.
You find out more information about this project and the other options considered in the detailed plan.
We want to hear from you
Feedback closes 9am Monday 5th September 2022.
Do you think that developing a railway precinct would be a draw card and bring more people to the main street?
How do you think that the railway precinct could be an lively attraction to capture the anticipated increased tourist numbers with the Hump Ridge track Great Walk status?
If the revitalisation of the railway station becomes a community-led project, would you or a group you are involved in want to lend a hand with this project?
I would like to remind the Council that the Local…
I would like to remind the Council that the Local Government Act requires that answers to questions be provided within 20 days. I have asked the following questions more than 20 days ago:
1. Who was involved in the "targeted engagement" and what were the "insights" gathered?
2. Why have the plans not included the level of detail/investigation outlined in my first post?
3. How accurate was the statement that "rates would be unaffected by these plans" that was presented at the Extraordinary Community Board Meeting (August 1st, 2022), including ongoing maintenance etc.?
Myles Greber
Thursday 25 Aug 2022
Unfortunately I feel that the Community Board and SDC have…
Unfortunately I feel that the Community Board and SDC have once again gone about this process in a completely inappropriate manner. If community support is truly desired, then you must include the community from the beginning and throughout the entire process. Effectively this process has been silent for 2 years aside from the Tuatapere & Districts Promotions proposal that appears to have been shut down. Now, without any input from the community, plans have been developed that do not appear to allow for meaningful alternatives to be considered.
The suggestion that "COVID-19 alert levels had an impact on the ability to carry out wider community engagement" is simply untrue. Consultations have been occurring throughout 2022 (e.g. Tuatapere Promotions, Stewart Island) without issue!
I ask that the Community Board/SDC provide a complete list of the "community groups, local business owners, Waiau Area School [who?] and other community leaders" who were involved in the "targeted engagement" and the "insights" gathered so that the entire community can consider these "insights" as well.
It is my understanding that the actions of the Community Board have influenced the recess/closure of a very long standing group within Tuatapere that has been fundamental in past promotion of both Tuatapere and the surrounding areas - a very poor outcome for the community and the complete opposite of what the Community Board/SDC should be working towards.
Previous engagement (2020) was only related to the Railway Building, nothing more - no detail of the surrounding land etc. was included or provided. As part of that process questions were raised that were never answered and quite a few ideas were suggested that have never seen the light of day. Interpretation of the 2020 survey is questionable considering 51% (the majority) did not support the Community Board retaining ownership and maintenance of the building.
I have no doubt most in the Community want to see a significant improvement in Tuatapere and the provided plans offer something, however I believe they are completely out of touch. Tuatapere was built on Timber/Sawmilling and Farming, a Rail Precinct is a very poor fit. To make the case to develop a Rail Precinct simply because we have a Railway Building in disrepair, in my opinion, is a very poor one. (I am not suggesting that the Railway Building should be excluded.) Kingston, Lumsden and Fairfax already have a rail focus, they all have working rail lines (or are close) and rolling stock, Tuatapere does not.
The history of Tuatapere shows that it has always stood on its own, always being different. Copying others makes no sense, and I don't believe a Rail Precinct in Tuatapere would ever compete with the likes of Lumsden or attract much interest (it simply does not have Rail folk to support it). Much of Lumsden's success has been due to freedom camping so it is a poor comparison.
Tuatapere has a working Sawmill, a Bushman's Museum and a history of Timber/Sawmilling and farming - not Rail! There is plenty of written history available in the Memorial Library to support this and I doubt there would be any/many in the community who would disagree?
No business case has been put forward to support the plans nor costing of the Main Street plan. Currently there are at least 3 major businesses (Service Station, Hardware Store, Hungry Hippo) for sale, 2 of which have been on the market for considerable time, which may suggest poor external interest. Other food and accommodation businesses are not currently trading or are not open for full business (pre COVID-19). Some simple calculations of bed nights etc., based on maximum Hump Ridge Track capacity and expected Tuatapere 'stay over' nights, indicates existing accommodation may well be adequate - why have the plans not included this level of detail/investigation?
At the recent Community Board Extraordinary Meeting (August 1st, 2022) it was suggested that rates would be unaffected by these two plans. Questions need to be raised about how accurate this is and if SDC will guarantee this, factoring in ongoing maintenance etc. of elements of the two plans. $20,000 for the development of these plans has already been allocated from rates!
Considering the importance of the suggested changes to Tuatapere and the money involved, it appears these plans are being rushed. A 2 week consultation period is too short. No outcome or review process has been included to allow for alternate suggestions/plans to be considered and fed back to the community for further consideration.
The focus of these plans appears to be around supporting tourists with very little thought on community needs. A theme is mentioned without offering any suggestions - the theme should be the starting point to which the rest is built around.
The Hump Ridge Track is a seasonal attraction - effectively only 6 months of the year - no consideration has been given to this or the now obvious fragility of tourism - are the proposed Main Street businesses to close down for 6 months when the track is closed (very few businesses can survive with only a half year of good sales/services)?
Myles Greber
Thursday 4 Aug 2022