“Waimairi Development Has Declined Sharply”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 15

“Waimairi Development Has Declined Sharply”

A sharp decline in the rate of development of Waimairi county in the last seven months would be reflected in population and valuation figures for 1962-63. said Mr J. I. Colligan, the county chairman, in his annual report to the council last evening.

The decline was particularly noticeable in regard to group housing, which had mainly relied for many years on the Government providing building sections. “Although the present economic position of the country has a large bearing on this question, it is not altogether the cause." Mr Colligan said. “Large areas of the urban area of the county still remain unsewered and until this backlog of work is caught up by the Christchurch Drainage Board, other areas such as Hoon Hay and Halswell. where an independent sewer system has been installed, will be more in demand for housing."

Building Permits Mr Colligan said only 901 building permits to a total value of £1.401,110 had been issued so far this year, compared with 1357 permits, valued at £2.402.048, in the same period last year. The council had a current works programme which would cost a total of £306.336. and £28.959 of that was being spent on new works. “The bulk of the sealing work for this year has already been done,” said Mr Colligan. "It is pleasing to record the relatively few complaints received by the council from residents about lack of amenities or services This tends to substantiate that the council is mectin ‘ the requirements of the residents of the county.” The census taken last April showed the county to have 39.420 people, but with the population increasing at the rate of nearly 3000 a year, the county's population would now be more than 40.000. “The county still holds the

position of the second most populated county in New Zealand.” said Mr Colligan “Including the municipalities. it is the ninth most populated territorial authority in the country. “The population of the county is nearly as high as that of Palmerston North City. Palmerston North was recorded at the census as having a population of 40,996. which was an increase of only 5204 for the last five years.” The Ilam-Waimairi road project had advanced during the year to the stage where the council was in sight of accepting a tender for the installation of sewers in the new roads. 60 Sections “When it is completed t'-e council will have some 60 residential sections to sell, which will finance the project.” said Mr Colligan. “The main road through the land from Ham road—the continuation of Creyke road—to Waimairi road will provide a much-needed bus route for the Avonhead area of the county, which is continuing to develop at a rapid rate.” Mr Colligan said the initial loan finance for the project had been arranged, and it was expected that road construction work would be well advanced by next April. Mr Colligan said the council had £84.980 in cred.t balances at March 31, plus £94,359 in special fund accounts, giving a total of £179,339. The book value of the council’s assets at April 1 was £868.684. At the same time the total loan indebtedness of the council was £5581571. Further finance amounting to £40,200 had been raised on roading loans since April, but principal repayments on existing loans left the net loan indebtedness at September 30 at £586,191.

He said the county's capital valuation at April 1 was £46,083.105, of which £41,746.585 was rateable. This left £4.336.520, or 9.41 per cent, of the total, unrateable.