Alpine Village Start Soon

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31724, 6 July 1968, Page 38

Alpine Village Start Soon

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 5. Laying-out of the Mount Cook alpine village will probably begin in about six months, according to the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre). Asked in Parliament today by Mr R. L. G. Talbot (Nat., Ashburton) what progress had been made towards establishing the village, and when a decision on the choice of site would be made, Mr MacIntyre said that from a number of sites three possible places were being considered. “Extensive investigations into all aspects of their suit'ability have been necessary

in order that the best site may be selected,” he said. “The results of these investigations are being submitted for my consideration. ‘Tew Weeks”

“A decision on the siting should be available within the next few weeks. Until the site is known no detailed planning will be possible.” Mr Talbot: How soon will the plans be drawn? Mr Maclntyre: After a period of about six months, the Park Board and the Ministry of Works will begin to lay out the village. Decision Sought

The Mount Cook National Park Board wbuld be extremely pleased to have a decision on the site so that it could begin planning the proposed alpine village, said the chairman (Mr N. S. Coad)

in Christchurch tonight A decision had been awaited for about a year.

It was estimated that about 120 to 125 acres would be needed for the Hermitage satellite village, said Mr Coad. One of the three sites mentioned by the Minister was just outside the park boundary on part of Glentanner Station; another was just inside the boundary in the same area. ' Both sites were about six miles from the Hermitage. The third site was on the Hooker Flats, about a mile and a half below the Hermitage. Mr Coad said the board faced the problem that available land on which to build around the Hermitage was very limited. “The board wants the

limited land there is reserved for visitor accommodation.” The need to accommodate servicing staff such as park rangers, scenic flight pilots, and bus drivers suggested the need for a satellite township. This would not Include staff working in the hotel and motels.

Ultimately the Hermitage area would be built over with visitor accommodation and shops, said Mr Coad. “When that stage comes any further accommodation will have to go in the satellite village, although this development will be quite a few years away.” Mr Coad said that when the satellite village was developed and finished it would represent an investment of about s2m.