TANK TRAINING AT REDCLIFFS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 10

TANK TRAINING AT REDCLIFFS

RESIDENTS OPPOSE ARMY PLAN Strong criticism of the retention by the Defence Department of the Redcliffs rifle range was expressed at a meeting of the Redcliffs Burgesses’ Asssociation. According to advice received from the Defence Department the area ir to be used for tank training. The meeting decided that the Minister of Works (Mr W. S. Goosman) should be asked to consider recommending the use of the land for housing or as a park or reserve. “As early as 1939 there was flooding of adjacent residential land because the range is not properly drained," said Mr C. G. Burgess. "In 1942 the Government said that there was no longer any need for the range as a range had been established at West Melton. In ,1947 the Army discontinued using the Redcliffs range because it did not .conform with the required safety provisions. "Then it was decided that the land should be used for erecting houses for Army personnel,” said Mr Burgess. “Accordingly, the Christchurch Drainage Board submitted a proposal for the drainage of the area and was told by the Army authorities that they had no knowledge of any housing project. Now there is a new excuse for the retention of the land. They want it for tank training.” “This letter of theirs was sent to us on July 23 and tanks came down here on July 29 for the first time since the war,” said the chairman (Mr L. G. Manson).

“Why is a tank-training ground necessary in a well-populated city area when 500 acres is set aside at Burnham?” asked Mr Burgess. “If tanks are kept in Christchurch they might as well be taken down to the Waimakariri river-bed as brought out here. What would be the reaction if tank training were done in Papanui or-St. Albans?

“With the building up of land on the range the area has become a drainage hazard, throwing water on to private gardens,” Mr Burgess said. “This winter there was half an acre of water next to and encroaching on residences .in Wakatu avenue. The place is a health menace in winter and a fire menace in summer. This empty paddock, used only on rare occasions, should be made into a park or reserve or used for housing. “Some time ago the Sumner Borough Council offered £BOO for the land, and a Housing Department buyer had been very interested in the area,” Mr Burgess added.