Attack On City Council’s Subdivision Charges

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 8

Attack On City Council’s Subdivision Charges

The Christchurch City Council’s present by-law on reserve contribution from subdivisions made in the city was attacked at a meeting of the Canterbury Progress League.

Mr J. L. T. Dyer, in bringing the matter before the league, described the reserves contribution charges under the council’s by-law as “iniquitous and. exorbitant.” He said the by-law had a lot to do with retarding the progress of the city and the province. Mr Dyer said he had brought the matter up at-the instigation of the' Institute of Surveyors and the Real Estate Institute. A letter had been sent to the council and to individual councillors late in 1963 by the institutes and no reply had been received. “I. think it. has been conveniently pigeon-holed,” Mr. Dyer said. The letter had protested

against the charges and compared. them with those in other centres. In Auckland and Dunedin charges were about 5 per cent of value, and about 2j per cent in Wellington.In Christchurch the charges were estimated to be approximately 13 p,er cent and in some cases it had been up to 20 per cent. It was felt the by-law was hindering residential, and Commercial development. It was requested that it be revised. . v Mr A, L. Burke said those who felt strongly on the matter could take it to court if they felt the charges were unjust. Mr B, J. Drake suggested the league could write to the council giving the support of the league in requesting an early reply. Mr Burke said the council should be asked for its views. The league should not pass judgment before hearing the other side of the case. “Let’s haVe all the facts, we have them from one side.” It was decided to receive the letter from the institutes and consider-the matter after hearing from the City Council its views on the matter. Mr Dyer was asked to bring specific examples of the alleged exorbitant charges.