Relaxation Wanted On Halswell Rural Land

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 8

Relaxation Wanted On Halswell Rural Land

Objections from the owners of six properties to the rural zone provisions in the Halswell section of the Paparua County Council’s district planning scheme were heard by a subcommittee of the council on Wednesday. Mr J. R. Woodward, who appeared fob airthe objectors, said that they did not object to rural zoning, but to the requirement for a minimum subdivision of 50 acres and its consequences. “They would be content If the ordinance reduced the area to 10 acres,” he said. “One property, in Sparks Road, would, because pf its proximity to the city, be better zoned residential, but the alternative would be five or 10-acre subdivisions.”

The objections, which related to land in Cashmere Road, Quaifes Road, Sparks Road and Sutherlands Road, came from Messrs J. R. Parish, D. E. Coakley, I. W. Boon, A. H. Sparks and N. S. Bowie. v Mr Parish said thgt well land was so highly valued that a person could not establish an economic dairy farm on 50 acres. The county chairman (Mr D. H. Warren) said that a;i00acre farm subdivided into 10acre blocks could be more productive than the original area.

To preserve the rural nature of the land, the council should permit 10-acre subdivisions, to foster production

from small holdings, said Mr Woodward. The Regional Planning Authority opposed the creation of residential or smallfarm lots, Said Mr K. Tyler. Subdivision would force up the price of dairy farms, though this was hot the only use of the land. Cropping, such, as was wanted by Watmight be the ultimate use, With amalgamations to form 100-acre to 150-acre blocks. ; > Ruske Brothers, Ltd, B. B. Woods, Ltd, the Halswell Timber Company and A. D. and S, M. P. Smith, all with businesses at Halswell Road, objected to the rural zoning ot the vicinity.