ROADS AND HOUSES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 65, 17 March 1945, Page 9

ROADS AND HOUSES

DEVELOPMENT PLAN

BIG WELLINGTON PROJECTS P.A. WELLINGTON, Friday. Important proposals for the planned development of Porirua Harbour, Titahi Bay, and the Upper Hutt Valley are embodied in Gazette notices issued to-day. They are issued under amendments to the Public Works Act and incorporated in the Finance Act No. 3 last session, and are designed to prevent inflation of compensation for lands affected by virtue of prior knowledge, or partial completion of development works. The areas affected are land in the Porirua Basin, including Tawa Flat and Titahi Bay and the Judgeford area, and in the upper part of Hutt Valley, including the Upper Hutt borough, Stokes Valley, and Mungaroa Valley. The Minister of Works, Mr. Semple, explained to-day that the notices do not mean that all the lands in these areas are proposed to be acquired by the State or any local body. The taking of certain parts will not mean disturbing the present residents, except where a building is in the direct line of some road or other development. Improved Amenities In general, added Mr. Semple, residents in the areas can look forward to improved amenities. The works envisaged include a new water supply and improved access between Hutt Valley and the Porirua Basin, via the Haywards-Pahau-tanui highway, with all the associated services, such as electricity, drainage, sewerage and transport. In the case of Porirua, there will be an improvement of the electric railway system, and a fast suburban passenger bus service. The main road through the Ngahauranga Gorge will be extended from Johnsonville to Plimmerton. The Waterloo railway will be extended to join the Wairarapa line at Silverstream, with a double line to Upper Hutt. The main road right through the valley will be converted to a modern fourlane highway. The Hutt River will be bridged near Taita. Mr. Semple said that two years at the most would be needed to complete State housing in the lower part of Hutt Valley. The Government contemplated providing many thousands more dwellings under the Housing Construction Act. While leaving full allowance lor private development, he wished to make it clear that those desirous of building their own homes within the area to be acquired by the Crown would have an opportunity to do so. As soon as the development work was sufficiently advanced the Government would be prepared to dispose of sections for this purpose.