Lake Sumner Development Plans

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31247, 20 December 1966, Page 33

Lake Sumner Development Plans

The Lake Sumner area could become one of the major aquatic and recreational areas of Canterbury if developments being discussed go ahead.

There is wonderful scope for water sports, fishing and tramping through both open and bush-clad country which provides some majestic scenery.

‘‘Spot" residential development seems likely to be favoured in preference to a major township.

This is the general impression gained after a recent inspection of the area and discussions with representatives of the interested organisations.

Suggestions include the establishment of domain areas at Lake Sumner, Loch Katrine, and at the southern end of Lake Taylor, near the existing road end. Building Prohibited

Because of the investigations the Lands and Survey Department earlier this year asked the Waipara County Council not to issue any building permits for huts, boat sheds, slipways or other buildings near Lake Sumner. The department and the Waipara council are perturbed at the possibility of persons illegally erecting buildings in the Loch Katrine area during the holiday season and the department has given public notice in Saturday’s newsnewspapers of the prohibition of erecting buildings on Crown land in the area.

The council is concerned also because of the hazard to health which would arise if development and use of such areas were not properly controlled.

On-the-spot discussions were held recently by representatives of the Lands and Survey Department, the Waipara County Council, the Loch Katrine Association and the Lake Sumner Development Committee. The latter, a joint committee set up by the council to co-ordinate activities, includes representatives of the council, the Loch Katrine association, runholders in the area and other interested persons. Since the inspection the Lands and Survey Department and Forest Service, and the Marine Department have accepted an invitation to be represented on the committee.

Departmental representatives at the recent inspection were the Surveyor-General (Mr R. P. Gough), the assistant Director-General of Lands (Mr E. J. Lynskey), both from Wellington, the assistant District Commissioner of Lands (Mr M. J. Fitzgerald, Christchurch), Mr C. M. Rainsford, chief surveyor, Christchurch, and Mr R. J. Armstrong, Land Transfer surveyor, also from the department in Christchurch. Impressed Mr Lynskey and Mr Gough were favourably impressed by the area and the opportunities it has to offer for recreation. The Lands and Sur-

vey Department is making a development and utilisation survey of the whole area, and the reading factor will be vital. Development of the road will come—but when it comes will depend on the availability of funds. The lakes area has much to offer. The relatively wide valleys offer some fine views, but powerful winds are a severe disadvantage at times. The lakes and rivers provide fine sport for the angler and boating enthusiasts, the surrounding country provides many fine walks, and for those with more ambitious thoughts the main divide is handy and a fit party would make light of a trip to the Otira area.

The inspection covered such things as suggested reserve and domain areas; sites which might be suitable for housing; boating facilities; and reading needs, which could involve more than eight miles of construction if the road is extended from the present formed road end at Lake Taylor to beyond Loch Katrine, close to Lake Sumner. The planning and development of a settlement at Lake Taylor, a popular fishing area, is being considered. Most private interest in development seems to favour the Lake Sumner area, which provides more rugged beauty, with kowhais fringing the lake, and better opportunities for boating. Choppy Sea

The inspection was made for the most part in nor’west drizzle, with the wind whip-

ping Lake Sumner to a choppy sea. After travelling to Lake Taylor, 34 miles from Hawarden, by car, the party made the eight-mile trip to Lake Sumner, over rough tracks, by utility vehicles.

Most members of the party made trips down the lake in three motor-boats provided by members of the Loch Katrine Association.

Those making the launch trips made the return trip up Loch Katrine by launch instead of by “road,” with further inspections on the way. Discussions then took place among the various parties. The council’s engineer (Mr D. M. Patterson) has estimated that the formation of the road from Lake Taylor to Lake Sumner will cost £BOOO to £12,000, depending on the weather and if the work is done by the council. Major improvements to the rest oi the road, however, will almost certainly be a longer term project dependent on other reading commitments and the availability of funds. Successful applicants for sections in any development at the lakes will probably be required to guarantee a contribution to the cost of extending the road. Road Problems Increased traffic density could present problems, too, on the access to Lake Taylor, as much of the route is one lane, particularly through the Hurunui gorge, where the road writhes precariously around bluff faces. Constructed as a back country access road to serve the runs in the upper Hurunui river area, the road is far from being a speedway and is not recommended for the “week-end” driver out for a sight-seeing trip. In some areas it is imposible for two vehicles approaching head-on to pass and extreme caution is needed on some of the blind bends.

Completed about 1927 the road is a vital link for the three stations it serves—the Lake Taylor station of Mr A. Nurse, the Lakes station of the estate of Mrs W. Macfarlane, and Eskhead station of Mr G. P. Dampier-Cross-ley. To have the road constructed the three stations had to guarantee £33,000 towards the cost. This was done by a loan raised on their behalf by the Waipara County Council and it was only about three years ago that the stations completed repayment. A pick and shovel job the road took years to complete but was further improved during the slump years as a No. 13 relief scheme.

A point of concern for the runholders, and the council also, is how the road will stand up to the much heavier flow of traffic after development in the lakes area, particularly after a spell of heavy rain that can be experienced there, where the annual fall is usually between 50 and 60 inches and has been known to reach 71 inches.

The council has already informed the District Roads Council that application will be made for a three-to-one subsidy on all works on the road if a holiday settlement is opened up. “Makes You Mad”

Although the runholders have shown considerable cooperation in recent developments, easier access will bring added problems, apart from those of the road. Already they have been troubled by irresponsible shooters. Apparently disappointed at not bagging legitimate game, some have turned their attention to stock. As recently as last year one runholder had six cattle shot and the head of one cut off as a trophy. “This sort of thing makes you mad,” said one of the runholders. “It’s our livelihood and we don’t breed stock for that sort of thing. Disturbing of stock by shooters can mean a remuster involving up to three weeks’ added work.”

One party of shooters using a vehicle cut a fence to continue its chase for a deer.

The picture shows a group, which made the trip down Lake Sumner in the launch of Mr J. Stanley, discussing a point of interest while stopped in the shelter of Charley’s Point.. Rain partially obscures the mountains in the background.