‘Mt Cook view Pukaki's only advantage’

Press, 13 February 1979, Page 22

‘Mt Cook view Pukaki's only advantage’

The special report prepared on the future of Twizel was based on the assumption that the development of Pukaki Village would go ahead, but there has been no evidence to support this assumption, according to a main item in the latest edition of the “Twizel Chronicle.”

The report, prepared by a Christchurch firm, was used as a basis for the Mackenzie County Council decision not to include Twizel in its district scheme and hence not to maintain it.

The last four Governments have all talked loosely about Pukaki but n o substantive investigation has ever been made by any authority into the costs involved, says the article.

“It is probable that the provision of services alone for such a village would be in excess of S2OM. Who has this sort of money to invest before they even start building?” it asks.

The special report maintains that the feasibility of the proposed Pukaki Village would be weakened by low to medium cost ac-

commodation available at Twizel, if the town it retained.

However, if it Wa» removed, Omarama would grow moderately, and

water and sewerage services would be improved; Otematata’s rating burden would ease and Pukaki could offer a wider range of accommodation, it says. However, the article believes that Pukaki’s only advantage over Twizel is its view of Mount Cook.

It says that Twizel residents have not been fairly represented in the decision of the future of their town.

“With only one member on the Mackenzie County Council, representing 5000 people, he is a fairly lone voice ranged against nine others representing the other 3200 in the county,” it says. It believes that if the council does not want Twizel, the Government could retain it as a going concern by freeholding and selling off sections on its own behalf. This ivould enable it to recoup some of its investments in. the town. Otherwise, all reticulation would be wasted and any house sold for removal would sell at depressed l prices. But the freeholding of sections could enable the Government to establish a local body in the town itself which could then ensure the town’s survival by maintaining long-term economic base, it says.