Dannevirke: Strange weather hits

The Dannevirke Gallery of History glistens in the early morning sunlight, with a rainbow behind. Photo / Tony Clark

Dannevirke and the surrounding districts have experienced four seasons in one week, as our fickle weather continues.

On Monday, freezing temperatures sent sleet showers scurrying along Top Grass Rd, but just a day earlier on Sunday a balmy 20C had been recorded in Dannevirke, while rain, fog and chilly winds were a feature of last week.

The soggy conditions have continued at Norsewood where weather-watcher Lyn McConchie said 38mm of rain had fallen from early Sunday through until Monday morning. "The lawn, sheep and hens are all soggy," she said.

Norsewood had 96mm of rain in July, an average for the month, while Dannevirke's July rainfall was 44.2mm, with the total so far this year, 514.1mm.

And early bird Tony Clark captured a spectacular early morning in the sky above Dannevirke from his vantage point above the Vault Cafe on the corner of High and Gordon Sts on Saturday. A double rainbow above the street and then sunrise above the Gallery of History cast a golden glow. A double rainbow occurs when the light is refracted twice instead of once in a rain drop.

Park likely to get self-contained unit

Dannevirke's holiday park has been a popular spot for tourists since its revamp in December last year, but more accommodation is needed for winter stays.

Since December last year, 1740 people have used the lower Domain camping ground, with great feedback coming from tourists, says Colin Veale, the community assets manager for the Tararua District Council.

Treesmart have been busy clearing a stand of gum trees at the entrance to the lower Domain. Photo / Christine McKay

"A couple from Australia who had owned a caravan park for five years and had stayed in parks across Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand said our holiday park was a place they'd recommend to others," he said.

Other visitors thought the park was the best site they'd stayed in, with top class facilities.

Camp custodian Kim Spooner, who is also a caterer, has developed a sideline supplying meals to campers which are proving popular with visitors too.

District councillor Shirley Hull said Ms Spooner sells the holiday park herself.

"She's got such vigour and enthusiasm for the place," she said.

However, Mr Veale said what was missing from the park was self-contained accommodation which had not been available since the previous manager left last year.

"The previous lessee had two self-contained units, an extra cabin and a caravan which were rented out. But the council opted not to purchase the units and the caravan, preferring to concentrate on letting the three cabins and hosting campervans and those staying in tents," he said.

"Because of the lack of units with bathrooms, the number of people using the park has dropped off over the winter.

"With at least 20 requests a month for units with bathrooms, our custodian feels we are missing out on a large part of the market, especially families with young children and the elderly."

Mr Veale recommended Tararua District councillors approve the purchase of a one-bedroom unit, complete with lounge, kitchen, laundry and bathroom, which could be on site for $32,000.

"This could be conservatively hired out for 100 nights a year, at $80 a night, returning $8000," he said.

With land behind the current custodian's house in George St, now subdivided, the land and house will be put up for sale. Mr Veale believes the return from these sales will finance a new custodian's house down at the holiday park and the self-contained rentable unit.

"We believe there will be a big demand for the section," he said.

Treesmart has removed large gum trees above the access road to the lower Domain allowing a three-bedroom transportable home to be moved on to the site before the George St house is sold.

"It's a good option cost wise," Mr Veale said.

Much of the wood from the felled gum trees is being used for fundraisers, with the Dannevirke Fire Brigade one of the organisations taking up the offer.