Loss Of First-Class Farmland

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15117, 28 October 1949, Page 3

Loss Of First-Class Farmland

Growth Of Urban Development

"New Zealand's Biggest

Erosion Menace"

(P.A.) Marton, Oct 27. Concern at the loss of first-class farmland to urban development was expressed at a meeting of the Rangitikei Catchment Board in Marton today. Reference was made to the expansion of Auckland, Hamilton and Palmerston North.

Over the past 15 years growth of those areas on to surrounding farmlands had been staggering, said Mr H. J. Donnelly, who described the trend as New Zealand's biggest erosion menace. He added that it was up to the board to point out to the authorities the need for urban development being diverted elsewhere.

Mr Donnelly asked the board to pass a resolution drawing the notice of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council to the problem, with a view to the formulation of a policy to direct urban development on to waste land or non-productive areas. The chairman, Mr K. A. Williams, said he doubted whether the matter was one for catchment board action. Mr A. D. Mair asked, where the people of Palmel-ston• ■ North, or Hamilton were going to build if the most suitable areas were not available to them. He said that if people had houses on fertile areas they generally produced vegetables for themselves, which was some productive help. The research representative on the board, Dr L. I. Grange, said that in Holland commitees were set up to guide public opinion and watch urban development. He sugegsted that public opinion in New Zealand would be through organisations such as the Federated Farmers.

The board carried the following motion by the chairman: "While this board realises that serious encroachment by urban areas with some of our most valuable firsts-class farming land is not within .the board's province, the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council be acquainted with the position, which requires it to interest itself in bringing the matter to the notice of the authorities with a view to the direction of urban development into land of low productive capacity."