Turangi residents updated on new development

A highway service centre with fuel and a fast food restaurant are proposed for the vacant land next to the Parklands Motor Lodge in Turangi.

The company behind a proposed multi-million dollar commercial development in Turangi has updated the community on the progress of resource consent applications for the project.

About 100 people attended a meeting in Turangi on Tuesday night hosted by the Rotorua-based Holmes Group. The company directors, who have signed a conditional sale agreement with Parklands Motor Lodge owners to purchase the property on State Highway 1, plan to incorporate a new truck stop, service station, restaurant and drive-through on a 2.9ha block of land near the lodge. Purchase of the property is conditional on Holmes Group gaining resource consents for the development.

The proposal has split the community, with nearby residents concerned about noise, safety and an increase in traffic.

Independent consultants involved in the consent application were at the meeting, and talked about the potential impacts of noise, traffic, lighting and economic development.

James Bell-Booth from Marshall Day Acoustics in Hamilton, explained the Taupo District Plan has performance standards for noise. He said predicted sound emissions from service centres are generally vehicles, people using the services and mechanical noises such as air conditioning units, refrigeration units and extractor fans.

"We have allowed for sound barriers and walls that keep noise down for surrounding residents. "Outside of the construction period, where there are slightly less stringent noise limits imposed, we expect that noise from a service centre on this site would comply with the District Plan."

Mr Bell-Booth said engine braking had also been considered, which he predicted to be of a similar level due to existing signs at entrances to Turangi asking truck drivers to refrain from engine braking.

In addressing residents' concerns about southbound heavy traffic using residential streets to access State Highway One, consultant Duncan Wilson from Traffic Design Group said it was highly unlikely trucks would use local roads to access the main highway.

An economic impact assessment was completed by Philip Osborne from Auckland firm Property Economics that highlighted the significant strategic asset State Highway 1 is for Turangi. His assessment showed the construction phase of the proposed development would result in a direct economic contribution of $1.5 million into the Turangi community.

"This project would provide 42 FTE [full-time equivalent] jobs for the district over a roughly 12-month construction phase, which would be the start of ongoing economic activity that would generate $4 million per annum for the local community and a projected 43 FTE roles in the service station and restaurant.

"In a town that has 9.8 per cent unemployment, that would be a great thing."

Holmes Group managing director Ryan Holmes said the company is currently working with consultants to draft a resource consent application and expect to lodge it with Taupo District Council before Christmas.