Dannevirke: Pongaroa's lack of fuel in focus

Not being able to purchase fuel at Pongaroa is an absolute disaster, Tararua District mayor Roly Ellis has told councillors this week. Photo / Christine McKay

Not being able to purchase fuel at Pongaroa is an absolute disaster, Tararua District mayor Roly Ellis has told councillors this week.

"Tourism is suffering out there because visitors can't buy petrol," he said. "It's 202.9km from Masterton to Porangahau, that's a long way between refuelling options." And councillor Shirley Hull said the lack of fuel also causes problems for the Woodville Lions Suzuki Coast-to-Coast motorcycle ride which is on tomorrow.

"Organisers of the event have to get a fuel stop organised for participants."

Mr Ellis said he's spoken to residents in Pongaroa and a plan by the village's fuel stop committee for a community-owned fuel station has their backing.

The Tararua District Council has received a request from the committee for a write-off of rates on a property which could be gifted to the group and while there isn't an incorporated society as yet at Pongaroa for the project, Peter Wimsett, the council's manager of strategy and district development, said council is normally quite open to such an approach.

The previous service station there ceased trading more than six months ago.

The council agreed in principle to support the Pongaroa community and while it is not able to write off rates under its current policies, there are options.