Auckland University ‘No Ambitions To Encroach On Parks’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 3

Auckland University ‘No Ambitions To Encroach On Parks’

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 16. Fears that a university “octopus” would seize Albert Park and the Auckland Domain were described as groundless by the Chancellor of Auckland University (Sir Douglas Robb) when he gave evidence before the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board.

The board was hearing appeals by several individuals and firms against the re-desig-nation of City Council land for use for the Auckland medical school site, the hearing is continuing today. Mr M. K. Norton, counsel for the Western Newmarket Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, told Sir Douglas Robb that his members felt the five acres sought for the medical school was the thin edge of a wedge and the wedge was pointed towards Grafton.

“Do you accept five acres as the ultimate?” Mr Norton asked.

Sir Douglas Robb: The university has accepted the limitation of the site to five acres. Its first opinion was that a further area of 15 acres should be reserved for possible future development, but that was turned down. The chairman (Mr J. W. Kealy, S.M.): The same thing happened over the harbour bridge. They thought the first plans would be adequate and they weren’t. Could the same happen here? Sir Douglas Robb: I can’t say. No-one else here is better

able to say.—The medical school can be placed on that site and it will be adequate. There will be no need for further expansion?—l can’t say that. Mr Norton: You were told you couldn’t have more than five acres. Do you want more?—YesMr Kealy: The fear has been expressed here that the great octopus university might spread over the Domain and Albert Park. Sir Douglas Robb said that encroachment on parks had never been entertained while he had been associated with the university. He would never be a party to taking public areas and any such fears of university encroachment were groundless. Evidence by an architect, Mr W. L. Smith, was that land in Auckland Hospital grounds could not be provided for the school, as present developments confirmed. The university sought to enrol the first medical students in 1968. The board decided that the re-designation of residential and commercial land within the city boundaries in Park road for use by the school did not infringe principles of town and country planning and it. rejected the appeals.