Residents Do Not Want Industries

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31344, 14 April 1967, Page 14

Residents Do Not Want Industries

Objections from 150 members of the Burnside Residents’ Association, the Canterbury Education Board and the Roydvale School Committee were heard by the Waimairi County Council’s town-planning committee last night on a council proposal to re-zone 70 acres of land on the west side of Roydvale avenue from rural to industrial A.

The land opposite Ashley’s old shingle pit, was brought inside the “urban fence” last year with a view to the council allowing its use for industry and the committee was told that it would be unsuitable for housing because of increasing noise from the airport, half a mile away. Mr R. M. Evendon, president of the association, produced 150 signatures in support of the objection, and said residents felt industry should be confined to the Wairakei road industrial area. Mr E. O. Sullivan, appearing for the association, said that the Roydvale School would open next month, and there would be danger to the children in an industrial zone.

The Russley Golf Club, he said had bought 102 acres on Roydvale avenue between Wairakei road and Memorial avenue. This included the 70 acres in question. What was to happen to the balance of 32 acres if the 70 acres was zoned industrial?

Residents were gravely concerned at the type of industry that might be established. The industries in Wairakei road were not a good advertisement. The land should remain rural until a proper plan of development had been considered. The school committee’s objection was based on traffic hazards, the possibility of noise and the introduction of undesirable elements. The board said the 102 acres had been held by the Ministry of Works for housing, and subsequently sold to the golf club. The Roydvale School site had been closer in the belief that there would be residential development. An intermediate school was planned for the vicinity. The Regional Planning Authority supported the council’s proposal, its director (Mr C. B. Millar) saying that the authority agreed that substandard development should not be allowed. The proposed industrial zone would overcome traffic congestion in other parts of the region. Mr Millar said the board had no planning justification for building the school at Roydvale avenue. The ministry had been aware that industrial use was planned for the 70 acres. For the City Council, Mr W.

G. Hutchison said the council was opposed to residential zoning “at all costs.” It accepted -industrial zoning as a fait accompli, but the airport should not be prejudiced in any way and suitable conditions should be imposed. “This may be the thin end of the wedge for more residential development on the west side of Roydvale avenue,” he said. “The 32 acres has cropped up. This area will become less and less tolerable for residential use with increasing use of the airport, and more night testing. The committee will report to the council.