Growth Potential Of Harbour Bays

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30769, 5 June 1965, Page 1

Growth Potential Of Harbour Bays

A study of all the settlements round Lyttelton Harbour —their nature, character, and growth potential—is being made by Mr I. G. Clark, of the University of Canterbury, for an M.A. thesis and also for a report to the Diamond Harbour Burgesses’ Association, which wants to consider the future of the area.

The project originated in a request to the university geography department for an objective geographical description of Diamond Harbour as a basis for estimating possible future development and the lines on which this development might proceed.

However, the department felt that, by widening the scope of the inquiry to include all settlements, a more useful survey would result.

Mr Clark said yesterday that settlement round the harbour had undoubtedly increased since 1945, but was this growth continuing and if not, why not? What was the age structure of the bay populations? Were older folk left because young people moved for a life in Christchurch or elsewhere? Was there opportunity for employment of young people near harbour homes or was it for them just a dormitory area? Holiday Factor “And what of the week-end and holiday populations?” asked Mr Clark. “This fluctuating group plays a significant part in such areas.” Mr Clark is sending questions in his survey to every property owner round the harbour from Camp Bay to Rapaki, but does not include Lyttelton. This asks the sex, age, and occupation of families, number of years of residence in the area, size of land owned, age and type of dwelling, holiday or permanent use, methods of cooking, heating, sanitation and other household services, where residents go to work and the

transport used, frequency of holiday visits, where essential stdres are bought, where larger capital items are obtained, and where tradesmen come from. Opportunity Questions There are also questions on educational, recreational and social opportunities. General comments are sought about the advantages and disadvantages of owning property in the area. Mr Clark said he knew the area well as an adult education tutor and as a yachtsman, but specific answers to these points could provide a wealth of statistical information of increasing value with the development of the port of Lyttelton and easier access through the road tunnel.