WHAKATANE OF THE FUTURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 70, 7 May 1943, Page 3

WHAKATANE OF THE FUTURE

TOWN PLANNER'S SCHEME DEVELOPMENT OF MUDFLATS HARBOUR BOARD'S ENDOWMENT AREA At the last meeting of the "Whakatane Harbour Board Borough Council members attended by invitation for the purpose of viewing the plan of expansion prepared by Mr R. Grierson of Auckland', who was also present for the purpose of further explaining, details and answering questions. The plan whilch made for the reclamation of the wide mudflat area between Commerce Street and McGarvey'st Road was particularly pretentious and) was based on the idea of the town expanding its business section right across a network of road ways and squares' where now is tidal swamps and flats. Mr Grierson wad warmly complimented on his scheme and the plan was adopted.

A copj r has been left with the Borough Council for the purpose of enabling that body to make a closer study of the details and of offering suggestions. Mr GrierSon'te Report Reporting on the plan Mr Grierson said: — Before proceeding to deal with the details of the scheme we wish to enumerate certain of the features •which have guided us in the consideration of this problem. A study of the natural advantages of the Borough of Whaltatane reveals the fact that it is destined to become an increasingly important centre in the development of the Bay of Plenty, possessing as. it does, extremely useful harbour facilities which serve a large area of very rich country. Furthermore, it lies close to the main lines of. road and. rail- communications and is sufficiently, distant from the next large centre of population to justify its continued development as an important centre of shopping and industry. Town's Surroundings The topography olf the area has had a very great bearing on the development of the business portion of the Borough, which is hemmed between the bold escarpment to the .south and the river to the north, r "This has restricted its development somewhat,, but it is obvious that, the growth of the present modern business centre has been rendered possible largely by the progressive and far sighted spirit of your Board in reclaiming the tidal areas on the Coreshore of the Whakatane River and providing up to date wharfage facilities, for the district.

The town and port serves today a population of 10,000 to 14,000 ■people of whom 2000 to OOOO* aic located in the Borough, and the remainer in the adjoining counties. The growth in population in these areas over the past two decades lias keen amazing, and having regard to the natural fertility of the district and its possibilities of closer settlement, 'it is not unreasonable to assume that under normal conditions a similar increase would, be registered during the ensuing and corresponding period.

A Growing Population

This liowcvcr can only be a surmise as the duration and the effects of the war on New Zealand's population are matters merely of opinion not capable, of any proof. At this juncture therefore it is not possible to forecast the period within which further areas should be developed for business purposes in the Borough. It is. not unreasonable however to assume that growth will continue even although the percentage increase may not be known. Question of Highway For that reason provision should t>c made, for further expansion. This aspect is emphasised by the d.eclaicd intention of the Main Highways Board to provide as soon as possible, a new main highway for the district. The location of the highway has been tentatively decided as being Route No. 1, which will bypass the business centre of the Borough and traverse Stewart Street and Goulstone Road. This suggestion appears to be a wise one from W& the point of view of the Borough, for it will be. sufficiently close, to the centre of population to cater for Borough traffic, and yet distant

enough to prevent interference with its business activities.

From this highway however direct and easy access to the. business centre of the town is called for, and the general route already selected by your Board cannot be improved upon. Unique Value of Rock The. plan submitted, herewith incorporates this proposal with but a minor variation in location although in our opinion a major improvement in character. It will be noted that the connecting road has been swung slightly towards the north in order that the Rock known us Pohaturoa will stand sentinel at its termination. It cannot be too strongly emphasised how great, an asset the Borcuigh possesses in this wonderful escarpment of rock and. every endeavour should be 1 made to proserve its character and set o(Y its unique beauty. Main Central Stfeet The width adopted, for this main street is 821't Gin, which provides a spaciousness required for a street of this type. All other streets are shown as (i(> feet wide, which we consider necessary for streets in a business area, where motor traffic will always be congested, and it will be noted that, the intersections of the side streets with the main street

iaA-e been 'staggered' as a pro teclon to traffic entering the main oute.

The scheme of streets outlined

gives a most economical street system with ample through and cross communication. Provision has been made for parking areas outside the confines of the streets, and practically all the lots are provided with rear entrances. The minimum lots frontage has been fixed wherever possible in accordance Avith that prescribed in the. standard town planning cluascs, viz. 25 feet,, and the depths shown are sufficient to give a reasonable area for the special purpose of the lot. Parking and Recreation Areas In addition to the areas set aside for parking purposes, it is suggested that a large area on the river frontage should be reserved as a possible park, Avhich woufd be Hanked on the one side by the river and on the other by a roadway which would form a worth while amenity for the Borough.

The development, of the scheme is dependent naturally upon the factors to which reference has already been made, but the construction of the main 82 ft. fiin road is the first essential. This can be. effected in

sections as opportunity serves, but we feel that this connection together with the lots fronting thereon should form the first section of

he. schemc

Importance of Drainage

In the actual construction of this j street, care should be exercised to provide sud'icient drainage for the main outfall drains entering the flat, and an\' culverts should be so located and constructed that they can be extended to high water mark as reclamation proceeds. In every case such culverts should be located within the limits of the streets running approximately north and south. The disposal of surface water in such an area always, constitutes a major problem of development, but its magnitude Avill be reduced if care is cxereised in the surface gradI ing of the reclamation itself.

Expansion For Many Years

The scheme outlined herewith caters for the probable development of the area for a period of many years even with an ordnance fixing the height limit as two storeys, which limit we consider should in no account, be departed from. At the moment avc have not attempted any system of noation for tlie- lots, neither have we endeavoured to indicate these respective, areas.

It is felt that this scheme, if and when approved by your Board, should bo submitted to the Bor-r ough to obtain approval of the scheme of roading and general development. This would be followed later by detailed plans of separate areas as and when they were available- lor utilisation."

Rest Room Provision

Tlie plan was fully discussed and the Harbour Board decided that, it ful'(y approved that frontages be <30ft inner area and is4ft outer area— that the area first to be developed be the Strand extension fronting the new Post Office site and area sum rounding the Borough Council office site section—that main road be

continued at Mi chains from the endowment to King Street-Domain Ro ad in t e rse.'J ti on."

A further decision was that frontage HO ft to 3(>ft immediately adjoining the Post Oil ice. site on

Strand extension, road be transferred; lo Borough Council for use as a Kest. Room .site.

General Discussion

xV general discussion ensued with many questions being answered by Mr Gricrson.

Cr W. Sullivan warmly congratulated Mr Gricrson and the Board on the scheme plan.

The Mayor endorsed Cr Sullivan's remarks and asked if the Board would reconsider the site it proposed transferring to the Borough Council as a rest room site. The Borough Council would, prefer a site on the opposite side of the road at the corner of the block.

The chairman.. Mr W. R. Boon, stated it was the Board's intention to submit its plan as a scheme plan for the approval of the Borough Council and for deposit in the Lands and Deeds office*.