25 March 2008

Community work brightens Holdsworth Lodge

Holdsworth Lodge at the main eastern entrance of the Tararua Forest Park has been given a new lease on life by community workers from the Department of Corrections.

Painting the exterior of the lodge and adjacent toilet is the latest in a series of tasks undertaken over summer by community workers assisting the Department of Conservation maintain visitor facilities in the Wairarapa.

Community work is a community-based sentence which requires offenders to pay something back to the community for the offence they have committed, and learn new skills and work habits.

DOC visitor assets ranger Alistair Smith, who has been coordinating the community workers over the summer months, says their help has been “invaluable”.

“The team are able to get in and get the job done quickly. It’s great to see the lodge looking so clean and tidy for our visitors and it couldn’t have been done this year without the support of the community workers.”

Holdsworth is nestled amongst some of the highest peaks and is the main entrance to the eastern side of the Tararua Forest Park. One of the most visited sites within the Wairarapa, the lodge provides a great stop-off for day visitors or those keen on the higher alpine environment. The updated paint job has uplifted the lodge and it looks more welcoming.

“The next step is to look at getting the inside of the lodge tidied up over the winter months when the weather isn’t so kind,” says Alistair Smith.

The community workers have also been assisting DOC with track clearing and construction at Bucks Road Camping Ground, repainting at the Waiohine Shelter, track maintenance and fencing work at the Incline Track. A major effort involved helping with the recent upgrade of the Atiwhakatu Track.

ENDS

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