‘Controls Needed Without Delay’

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 1

‘Controls Needed Without Delay’

In translating the plan for the foreshore area into reality it is important that appropriate controls be initiated without delay, says the study report which the Waimairi County Council ordered from the Lincoln College landscaping consultant service.

“The area of land which is regarded as essential to the carrying out of the plan is that to the east of the proposed road extending Marine Parade," writes Mr S. Challenger, reader in landscape architecture, at Lincoln College. “The ‘green fingers’ of trees, and the golf course areas west of this road are also highly desirable. “The programme of deve lopment will obviously be a long-term one, but the adop tion of this concept and ad herence to its principles while the detailed develop ment proceeds is vital.” The report says that ths area has recreational value ts the Canterbury area as : whole.

“It is almost the last remaining beach and sand dune area with its particular qualities of opportunity for active and' passive recreation and nature education within the Canterbury region—and indeed farther afield," said Mr Challenger. “In the course of our investigations, it became apparent that the area could not be preserved in its present unique state if the development were confined to the original area proposed. “We have therefore extended out proposals to cover an additional area. We consider also that the wildlife reserve in the Brooklands

Lagoon and the Spit should be considered as part of this total area. “Our proposals provide a method for development of this area without destroying its natural qualities. Our aims are to control the use of the area in such a way that more people can be brought in, and it becomes, in fact, more useable as a result “We are keenly aware of the need to balance this aspect of use against the need for conservation. We feel that the total environment of recreation and natural resources will add to the value of the residential area currently proposed nearby, and

s to the charms and qualities e of the area,” th 3 report says. ® Mr J. V. Crone, landscape e consultant and a leader of I- the Lincoln College study ® team which produced the re- ■* port, said that board-walks to the beach should be proif Tided to minimise pedestrian e traffic over the dunes. e Because the dunes on the foreshore were relatively Uns' stable a road through that a area would bring a great ?• number of problems. 1- The area would develop is into a reserve as large and P- as important as Hagley Park from the metropolitan aspect, ie said Mr Crbne. :o Pressure must be taken off a Spencer Park, as wear and tear was damaging the cover.

The area would require fulltime staff, including rangers.