Auckland wants a Rolleston plan

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 10 December 1975, Page 12

Auckland wants a Rolleston plan

GV.Z. Press Associations AUCKLAND. The Rolleston “new town” scheme has been killed off by the Government, hut the need is seen for a similar scheme near Auckland. Professor I. E. Boileau, professor of town planning, Auckland University, said that he saw Rolleston as a valid solution to Christchurch growth problems. “But,” he added, “surely Auckland is the place which needs it most.” Mr J. R. Firth, chairman of the Auckland City Council planning committee, has a similar view. “The concept of separate cities is very much on, particularly in the Auckland context,” said Mr Firth. “A new town had to be looked

at fairly soon. It is a pity, 11 he Government did not [start Rolleston in Auckland." Mr Firth said that the; time had arrived when a fence should be put around Auckland and the existing urban area filled up to get : ’maximum use of existing; services and resources. Then ■there was a need to plan a I new city of raw ground to cope with demand beyond that. There is a feeling among [some town planners, including Professor Boileau, I that the Government has. ( been negative in dismissing: [Rolleston out of hand. It has not given an alternative .■ [lution to Christchurch' [growth problem. Nor. apparently, did it ■ consult the Rolleston planners or involved Government agencies before giving' [it the chop. The National view that’ Rolleston would prejudice' development in other South; Island centres, still leaves; the problem of a growing; Christchurch and priorities] involved in the use of firstclass agricultural land. Professor Boileau said that; the new town concept had' 'been proved to work in Brit-; ain and that over a period, 'of 20 to 25 years new towns; proved to be much cheaper. Auckland had reached the stage where it had to con-; template a major public; i works programme to cater [ [for continued expansion. In-! ’stead of continued urban, sprawl, he favoured the building of a new town at Albany or some other place near Auckland. The quality of a planned i new town would be higher.! its environment would be I better, and facilities would; be more conveniently placed. ' “Against this you have artificial development which is' ; all of a piece. New towns ■ may appeal to some people I more than developments we!

normally experience.” he said. “It is not for me to pre- ; scribe as a planner how people should live, but to give them a new dimension to experiment with more 'thoroughly in a decent enviironment.”