Lake Sumner Hut Standards

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 10

Lake Sumner Hut Standards

Minimum standards have been set by the Waipara County Council for the proposed subdivision for holiday homes in the Lake Sumner area. The Lands and Survey Department has proposals to subdivide about 50 sections at the northeast corner of Loch Katrine. The department will probably offer the sections in two ballots—one to resettle the

squatters at the southern end of the lake and the other for members of the public.

A minimum section size of 32 perches was set by the council at its November meeting at Waikari. Holiday homes will be required to have a minimum floor area of 300 square feet and ip other respects must comply with the normal buildipg standards.

ACCESS TRACK The department will be advised that the council could provide a vehicle access track round the east side of Loch Katrine, with a sound surface for small cars in most weather, for $l2OO. But the council will not accept any future responsibility for the road. Most of this track would be less than 40 feet above the present lake level—a height that has been suggested as the possible future level of the lake in the event of hydro-electric development. The question of any improved access from Lake Taylor to Loch Katrine will be a matter for separate negotiation.

A similar narrow road (16ft) with a surface suited to conventional car traffic, situated at a higher level, would interfere with more trees, said a report by the County Engineer (Mr D. M. Patterson). The cost would be $2OOO to $2500. A twolane road with 24 foot formation, fully culverted, on this higher line would cost $6OOO to $BOOO. TYPE OF TENURE

The type of tenure will probably be optional deferred payment or renewable lease, according to a report by the Assistant District Commissioner of Lands (Mr M. J. Fitzgerald) in a report to a recent meeting of the Lake Sumner and District Advisory Committee.

Applicants for sections will be issued with temporary permits until such time as building is undertaken. Mr Fitzgerald was unable to give the committee an estimate of section prices but it is probable that they will include a loading charge towards roading and harbourage costs. NEED FOR ACCESS

The need for an access track around Loch Katrine was questioned at the meeting of the advisory committee. The department’s scheme provided for no roading other than that within the subdivision. Legal access would be dependent on the crossing of the lake by boat. This was to discourage a heavy demand for sections which could embarrass both the council and the department.

Concern at the reliance on boat access, particularly in bad weather, when accidents eould occur, was expressed by one of the runholders' representatives on the advisory committee, Mr C. A. Nurse. He advocated that track access should be provided. The department has a list of 300 persons interested in obtaining sections near Lake Sumner, according to the report of the advisory committee. In the short term the department will offer up to 100 sections. Any future development will be according to the demand and the ability of the council to undertake roading improvements. With the proposed development of a forest park in the area the question of improved access will have to be considered, according to the committee report. A Forest Service representative, Mr H. Wilson, said that the obvious route would be to extend the present Lakes Road from Lake Taylor to Lake Sumner. An alter-

native would be from the Hope River over the Kiwi Saddle and tracks being developed were in anticipation of future roading. In the future there was the possibility of a road from the Lewis Pass area to join the Lakes Road.