Environment centre to open soon

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 18

Environment centre to open soon

New Zealand’s first environmental centre should be open in Christchurch in about a month.

The director of the Environmental Defence Society and chief organiser of the project (Mr B. K. Williams) told the Canterbury Progress League on Wednesday evening that the opening of the centre was being delayed oniy because suitable premises had not yet been found. However, the organising group hoped to rent a shop ■to get the project underway. The centre will provide information about all aspects of the environment and amenity groups. Pamphlets on the subject will be provided when possible. > It will also become a coordinating body for environ- ; mental groups, with a register and diary to enable them to avoid clashes of ' meetings.

el The centre is believed to e:be the fourth of its type. It r is based on similar environ- :. mental centres in Sydney, - London and Manchester. It mwill keep in close liaison e with the Sydney group. s! It was first thought that e the centre would just be a it home for the Environmental Defence Society, Clean Air g Society. Combined Estuary p Committee and Ecology ■- Action, but because of the wide interest taken in the e scheme, it will be available s to all. tL It has been proposed to s charge an annual membership >-! fee of $2. Already a roster has been - established so that the centre •Jean be manned continuously, Land more than 300 books f have been promised its library.