CATCHMENT BENEFITS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29998, 6 December 1962, Page 18

CATCHMENT BENEFITS

Levy On Fringe Areas (N.Z. Pres* Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Amendment Bill made certain that indirect benefits obtained by counties and boroughs from works in catchment areas would be taken into account in future, Mr A. E. Allen (Government, Franklin) said in Parliament today. The bill provides that an appeal by a local authority, river board or drainage board against inclusion of any of its area in a catchment area has to show it is not likely to derive direct or indirect benefit from soil conservation, rivers control, flood prevention or drainage work in a catchment area.

Mr Allen said three local bodies had been exempted after an appeal to the Local Government Commission. But it was always intended that indirect benefit should be considered and the bill put this beyond future doubt. The question of an administration rate had caused some argument, but it was understood this would be referred to a select committee during the recess.

Mr Allen was reporting on the Local Bills Committee’s deliberations on the bill. The committee recommended that the bill be allowed to proceed with minor amendments.