Weston Kirton: Ruapehu Mayor on the Desert Road closure, what it means for regional businesses

Starting today the Desert Road will be closed for two months. 

Up to 20,000 vehicles could be diverted to regional roads and it will take motorist through towns like Ohakune and National Park.

It is a welcome boost to Ruapehu businesses, but does this disruption mean people could give the region a miss all together?

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton joins the show to discuss what the diversion will mean. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:09):
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Speaker 2 (00:16):
But now the Desert Road's going to be closed for
two months starting from today, NZTA is shutting down State
Highway one between Turangi and Wauru for most of January
and February to do major roadworks. Up to twenty thousand
vehicles could be diverted to regional roads more familiar with
just say two thousand vehicle movements a day, and it'll
take motorists through towns like Okuney and National Park and

(00:39):
Ruepehu ma'am. Western Curtain joins me.

Speaker 3 (00:41):
Now morning, Yes, good mornington Hey, Kearney.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
And National Park. They're going to love it, aren't they.

Speaker 3 (00:47):
Absolutely. It's something that they've been looking forward to. Is
the well signaled earlier last or late last year. And
of course it's not unusual for course for Couni particularly
to have a lot of traffic go through the township
to be with the ski season, so we're looking forward
to it. It's going to be a great opportunity for
local businesses.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Expecting any disruption or is it just all good news
for the local businesses?

Speaker 3 (01:12):
I can suspect that it would be pretty slow going
through some of the areas like Hercuney and somewhat National
Park because of the restriction on speed. But nevertheless a
little bit opportunity for people to call and have a coffee,
have like to eat a Choppery clear for example. But
the example, there'll be a lot of opportunities for people

(01:34):
to stay and enjoy some of the activities that we're
putting on.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Is that a local deal, like I say the chocolate Declaire.

Speaker 3 (01:41):
Oh, it's something that everyone think it's got to go past.
You've just got to go to Hrcuney just to experience
of one of the biggest of New Zealand. So everyone
knows all about Choppery Clears Nony.

Speaker 2 (01:53):
What does it mean for travelers? Do you have some
sort of I mean, because you've got a sort of
two sides to it, haven't you. You guys love to
have the visitors and yet you do you are where
it's going to be a bit of an inconvenience for travelers,
So what do you what's it mean?

Speaker 3 (02:06):
I think it's just an opportunity. I guess you know
this the region after having challenging years in the last
year or two, and we're just going to make sure
of course that the traffic you know, behave themselves. We
are dealing with some rural roads, so the network is
not as good as perhaps the other state whole way one.

(02:27):
But nevertheless, you know, we've just got to respect the
fact that there's a lot of traffic on the road,
a lot of areas there without passing lanes. So yeah,
I just think it's just one of those things we
just got to watch out for.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Well, you know, and it might re establish the Oakeneian
National Park is something of it more of a stopover
in the future, hopefully once the work's all done.

Speaker 3 (02:50):
Just see this time of the year, of course, great
opportunity for the outdoors, a lot of tramping going on
a course the alpine you know, walkway there and other activities.
Is just going to be a great opportunity for people
to stop over and enjoy the canoes, the all sorts
sort of what's going on at the moment.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
Good stuff. Hey, thanks for your time. Western that's Western Curtain,
Rupehu District Mayor. And yes, it is going to be
quite a boon I think for Keney and National Park
and they can well do with it, I'd say.

Speaker 1 (03:20):
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