EAST SUBURBS PLAN Drainage Board Has Reservations

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32077, 27 August 1969, Page 14

EAST SUBURBS PLAN Drainage Board Has Reservations

A development plan for die eastern suburbs of Christchurch was opposed by the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening, but the board indicated that if there was technical information explaining some points it might withdraw its objections.

In a long and detailed report, Mr P. J. McWilliam, the chief engineer, said the purpose of the scheme was to enable extensive areas of low-lying land to be developed for urban purposes. If the scheme was to be implemented planning authorities had to be persuaded to change the present rural zoning to urban. They wanted to know the board’s views first.

“Many possible benefits to toe city and its inhabitants are cited, but it should be borne in mind that toe underlying purpose of the scheme is to make as large a profit as possible for the landowners involved,” Mr McWilMam said.

All aspects of the board’s work were affected by the proposals, Mr McWilUam said.

The board should oppose the proposed urban use of land designated for sludgedisposal purposes, he said in ' his conclusions and recommendations.

technically feasible from drainage and sewerage aspects and should not be opposed on those grounds. However, considerable mainten-

ance and aesthetic problems could be caused both in the long and short terms. He suggested that for these reasons the board should oppose at this stage the Burwood proposals, lake proposals beside Linwood Avenue and a marina development souto of toe Heathcote River.

The general proposals for widening, deepening and straightening reaches of the Heathcote and Avon Rivers should not be opposed, but the developers should be required to give detailed proposals, On the scheme for the Bexley area, Mr McWilMam said there should be an objection to toe use of toe southern portion of urban land because of the requirement for sludge disposal and also sewerage difficulties.

Many of the proposals were