Govt scraps Green Paper on transport

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34105, 18 March 1976, Page 2

Govt scraps Green Paper on transport

(frorh OUr Own Reporter)

TIMARU, March 17. The Government had scrapped Labour’s Green Paper on the reform of the transport system, the Minister of Transport (Mr McLachlan) said today. Other suggestions Such as the establishment of a maritime commission had also been scrapped, the Minister said. He was opening the annual conference of the Harbours’ Association. The increasing use of containers was gathering momentum, and strains had been placed on the ports which must provide the terminals, as well as the other ports, which were losing some of their traditional cargoes, said Mr McLachlan. Harbour works, especially those for container developments, were among the committed W’orks for which loan finance was being sought. The downturn in trade at a time of high inflation aggravated these problems. He had no intention of meddling with the present System of port administration. Elaborating on this policy of “laissez-faire,” the Minister said harbour boards were elected to do a job, and he would leave them alone so that they could get on with that job for the benefit of the country.

In the belief that his Ministry’s proposals for coastal waters planning should be debated fully, he had instructed the Secretary of Transport to distribute the 1 draft amendment outside Government departments. Other proposals were "in the wind,” the Minister said. It was his intention to introduce a harbours amendment bill. Other legislation he had in mind included an amendment to the Marine Pollution Act to ensure that a ship’s agent in New Zealand could recover costs of oil spills from Overseas tanker owners; an amendment to the shipping and Seamen Act to allow the adoption of the international convention on the. limitation Of shipowner’s liability; and an amendment to the Ports Authority Act which the Government was pledged to strengthen. The Minister said the proposed harbours amendment bill would provide for a full public planning process, in which the public would have an unprecedented degree of involvement; provide the degree of flexibility necessary to deal with planning problems; and provide for co-ordination of land, water duality, and coastal waters planning. Some of the types of problems which needed attention, included mussel farming in Marlborough, which was expanding and beginning to

come into conflict with the recreational activities of residents and tourists. Several groups in Nelson had been concerned about pollution and reclamation in Tasman Bay, and had campaigned on behalf of Nelson Haven and the Waimea Estuary. A planning procedure would allow these to be critically examined, and the value of these areas ecologically and for recreation assessed against competing demands for their use. In Wellington, a formal planning procedure would allow the public a stronger voice in the consideration of projects such as the Lowry Bay marina, or the new Seaview oil wharf. In Auckland a draft plan of the Waitemata Harbour identified a number of urgent planning needs. A survey Was also being made of Manukau Harbour, and the Ministry’s proposals would be invaluable in carrying out this task. The Minister said his first responsibility in the boating field was safety, to be achieved by educational and other means. An identification scheme was needed, and if the Yachting Federation or any other organisation could could come up with a feasible specific proposition on how these basic needs could be met without the need for Government involvement, they should answer the Ministry’s request and make a written submission.