Turangi mall canopies to be removed

The glass canopies and supporting poles in Turangi's mall are set to be removed early in the New Year due to significant damage caused by people climbing and walking on the structures.

Taupo District Council facilities manager Garreth Robinson said people walking on the canopies had damaged glass and it had become too expensive to keep making repairs.

"People appear to have been climbing onto adjacent buildings and walking on to the glass roofs. There is a high chance those climbing on these structures will fall and hurt themselves, or even worse, be killed.

"The roofs aren't designed to hold such weight and the glass is cracking and breaking, so we need to remove the entire structures."

The decision to remove the canopies was made by the Turangi Tongariro Community Board, and chairman Andy Hema hoped people would take heed of the risks before the work was carried out in February next year.

"Not only is walking on this glass dangerous due to the risk of glass breaking, but it also poses a risk for those going about their shopping in the mall if a piece of glass was to dislodge from the roof and fall on to someone below."

Decisions on whether another structure will be built in its place will be made later next year. Signage is in place to warn of the dangers of climbing onto the structures prior to their removal.