At least $100,000 from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts' fine over a diesel spill will be put into a project to beautify the Makotuku River, Horizons' Ruapehu councillor Bruce Rollinson says.
The diesel spill that began on September 26, 2013, at the Turoa Ski Area leaked 19,000 litres of diesel into the Makotuku. The small river supplies Raetihi's water and the Ruapehu town was without drinking water for three weeks.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was later prosecuted and pleaded guilty to four charges. It was fined $300,000 for three of them.
Usually, whatever money was left after legal expenses were paid would be kept by Horizons Regional Council. But Mr Rollinson said in this case the spill was a disaster for Raetihi. Councillors agreed to give the rest to the town - a minimum of $100,000.
Horizons staff, Mr Rollinson and Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron, met yesterday to talk about what to do with it. A staff member suggested using it for a project Raetihi Promotions was already working on - to clear and beautify the stream and reconnect it to the town.