The proposed dump station site at Henley Lake, described as a cost-effective option. PHOTO/ALEYNA MARTINEZ
ARTHUR HAWKES
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Masterton District Council yesterday discuss the possibility of a dump station to be placed beside Henley Lake, which will allow freedom campers to dump their onboard waste in an area of the car park.
The council stated that Masterton was at risk of losing its status as a Motorhome Friendly Town, awarded by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.
Existing dump station facilities for self-contained motor homes in Masterton have been limited of late.
The closure of a private facility near the Copthorne Hotel has meant that the only option is now at Mawley Park campground, and this is limited in terms of hours of operation and access by larger vehicles.
The recommendation to council suggests scrapping the construction of a dump station on Judd’s Rd, as part of an agreement with Solway Showgrounds, and placing one at Henley Lake car park, as part of the area’s planned upgrades.
A high-tech pump was installed in February to fix Henley Lake’s problematic toilets – this would also be able to pump the proposed station’s waste to the sewer on Colombo Rd.
The Mawley Park facility would then be privatised, with $10,000 given to the Masterton A and P Association to assist with the installation of the dump station beside Solway Showgrounds.
The recommendation, by manager of assets and operations David Hopman and manager of facilities and activities Andrea Jackson, stated that the Henley Lake option would be “substantially less expensive” than pursuing the Judd’s Rd site.
The latter option, projected to cost about $100,000, had not yet seen a consultation with the private homes surrounding the site.
Its location was also thought to be less than ideal as it was not on the way to any other freedom camping areas.
The proposal to renege on the Solway agreement, and build a single Henley Lake dump site, would ask the council for just $40,000: $30,000 for the Henley site, and $10,000 for a grant for Masterton A and P Association to develop their own dump site.
The meeting will also seek to update councillors on the myriad infrastructure projects under way, such as the Queen Elizabeth Park rejuvenation, the Castlepoint toilet upgrades, the town centre upgrade, and the Colombo Rd bridge renewal.
As a motorhomer this site will be to small for some big rigs.