Subdivisions "irresponsible’

Press, 30 November 1978, Page 22

Subdivisions "irresponsible’

Wellington reporter

Uncontrolled and irresponsible subdivision of productive agricultural land, particularly around Auckland. has been sharply criticised by the Ministry of Agriculture's horticultural superintendent (or . the Auckland region (Mr P Money). He had heard some planners say that people who had amassed the necessary financial resources were entitled to live in the country. This view had been justified by such labels as

“spreading the population,” “beefing up” country communities, and other reasons. “I have no objection to people aspiring to this life-style but if they are not capable of doing it in a farm situation that

keeps the land in full production then in my view they are not entitled to use good productive land.” Mr Money said. He cited examples around Auckland where top productive land had been subdivided when only a few miles away was unoccupied. poor, rocky soil. Considerable emotionalism tended to cloud thinking on land and related issues. Many farmers had been looking for much more than capital gains on the sale of their famrs. “I and others have watched with dismav sime of the planning decisions involving subdivisions made bv country councils.” Mr Money said. “As councils are often composed mostly of farmers, we had frankly hoped for something better.”