New 'mountain' for Turangi

By LAURILEE McMICHAEL

Turangi at the southern end of Lake Taupo is close to three large mountains - and that number is set to increase by one.

Not content with having the town only a hop, skip and jump from Mounts Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, a local group plans to construct a three-metre high,
30m long replica of Mount Ruapehu at the town's southern entrance.

The group, Future Syndicate, has put a proposal to the Turangi-Tongariro Community Board for the model although it plans to organise and fund the project itself with help from the community.

The proposed site for the model mountain is on Transit New Zealand land between State Highway One and the Turangi Golf Course.

Future Syndicate's spokesman Peter Sperry said the project was likely to prompt motorists to go into Turangi town itself and it was a good opportunity to
introduce them to Turangi's new 'Adventure Central' branding.

He said the mountain would be built of concrete and be low maintenance.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)