Growth Pressures Of Counties’ Development

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 22 (Supplement)

Growth Pressures Of Counties’ Development

Restricted by the hills to the east and south, the city’s main development since the Second World War has been in the county areas to the north and west, but more recently, there has been a swing to building in Halswell and Heathcote counties.

Most spectacular growth has been that in Waimairi county, where the recent census gave a total population of 52,149, a 31.7 per cent increase on the 1961 figure. The county council was told recently that it is using up building sections faster than they are being created. In 1946, the county population was 18,900.

The council considers that a prospective population of 110,000 by 1981 is realistic Waimairi now is New Zealand’s second biggest county, and the ninth largest territorial local body. The story is the same with the other counties in the metropolitan area. Paparua's population has risen from 7570 in 1946 to 18,786 at the recent census, and Heathcote’s, over the same period, from 5850 to 7113. Halswell's population in the 20 years, has grown from 2200 to 3500. Riccarton borough, almost completely built-up, has had a decline in population over the last 20 years, from 8360 to 7372 at the census. Commercial and industrial development taking the place of houses is reflected tn this trend. The building explosion in the county areas has meant an unprecedented effort to

cope with the demand for services. New roads by the mile, water-supply extensions and adequate recreational space have all had to be provided. Extension Waimalri’s high-pressure water-supply now covers the whole of the built-up part of the county, and is now being extended to Belfast Paparua has its urban area reticulated with high-pres-sure water, and is extending the supply to Templeton and Prebbleton. Halswell county, which provides high pressure water for the Halswell township, will have to make major extensions to keep pace with the sprawl of residential building. Four major subdivisions alone will create 1000 building sections within the next three or four years. Halswell is also planning to install a sewage system which will be connected to the city mains. Good Use Christchurch is noted for Its open spaces, and money

received from land subdivisions has been put to good use by the counties in developing sports grounds, parks and children’s playgrounds. Waimairi has Jellie Park (with its magnificent Lido swimming pool), Burnside Park and big areas at Middleton and Spencerville, as well as a host of smaller recreational areas. As fast as the county grows, planning ahead will ensure new public reserves, in Papanui and Burwood in particular. Another symptom of its population growth are plans for the construction of community centres at Fendalton and Harewood, Northcote and Avonhead. Open Land Paparua has an outstanding record in the provision of public parks, notably Denton Park and Sockburn Park, the latter with its fine swimming pool. Recreationwise, the county caters for such diverse sports as rollerskating and go-kart racing. Paparua county has witnessed a major part of the

city’s industrial expansion, and points with satisfaction to its abundance of suitable land for new factories. Sockburn and Hornby have been transformed over the past decade, and the swing, authorities consider, has barely started. Waimairi, too, is finding homes for industry, particularly in the north of the county. Heathcote has had its industrial development sharply pointed up by major projects in hand or pending at Hillsborough and towards Heathcote, favoured places with easy access to rail and the Tunnel road. “Explosion” Heathcote has suffered a good deal from losses of territory to the city proper, but recently, there has been what is described as a subdivisional explosion which has thrown a heavy burden on the council to provide new services. Another major job has been to improve the roads giving access to the Tunnel road.

jointly raised a loan to btrild and equip a motor-vehicle testing station, which will be located at Paparua’s yard at Sockburn.

Illustrative of the way county council work has extended in many fields beyond the provision and maintenance of roads is the way in which Waimairi and Paparua counties have tackled the job of making homes for senior citizens.

Waimairi now has 56 pensioner cottages, and 36 more being built, while Paparua has 15 units occupied, a tender just let for 10 more units at Sockburn, and negotiations in train to build another block at Hornby.

Waimairi, Paparua and Riccarton borough have