Turangi plans spark interest
Some Turangi residents have started a petition to try and stop a proposed major development in the town.
Developer Ryan Holmes, from Holmes Group, has big plans for the 2.9ha Parklands Motor Lodge site, alongside the main highway.
Included in the proposal is a 24-hour service centre, two-lane truck stop, quick service restaurant and a slip road from State Highway 1. Parklands Motor Lodge will continue to provide accommodation.
The town appears divided over the merits of the project and hundreds of residents have registered their opposition in a petition.
Turangi resident, Sandra Greenslade started the petition opposing the development and it had 559 signatures by Wednesday this week. Greenslade is hoping for 1000 signatures.
She said the main concern was the negative impact on existing businesses and livelihoods in the Turangi town centre, the impact on the growth of the town centre, noise and light pollution into the residential areas around the development.
The resource consent application has yet to be lodged with the Taupo¯ District Council but Holmes has held a public meeting to advise residents about what he is proposing.
He said the development would create 50-70 part and full time jobs.
Holmes acknowledged concerns over the proposal but said people probably did not have all the information.
Taupo¯ District Council regulatory manager Scott Devonport, said the
New Zealand Transport Agency is assessing the safety of the road.
‘‘They are not going to allow a development that creates a safety risk,’’ he said. ‘‘They have an obligation to provide regional safety.’’
While many were against the proposal, Bayley’s Turangi director Zane Cozens, said he had noticed a general feeling of excitement in the town about it.
‘‘But we do need temper that with concerns of those that are going to be affected.’’
Other business owners had approached him with ‘‘open arms’’ in regards to the development proposal. Holmes said the resource consents will be lodged in about 4-8 weeks, pending the completion of expert reports and discussions with NZTA.