Paparua Council questions role of Rolleston

Press, 28 August 1979, Page 6

Paparua Council questions role of Rolleston

The fuel crisis, and increasing transport costs have not been “seriously considered” by the Regional Planning Authority in its draft review, says the Paparua County Council in submissions it will make on the review.

The council’s submissions, prepared by the county planner (Mr K. G. Lawn) were presented to the council’s town planning committee last evening. The council questions the development of Rolleston as a population centre of 10,000, saving that travelling costs are likely to reduce the town’s attraction. The council says that it doubts that Rolleston could become selfsufficient, “especially with regard to attracting 'ndustrial and commercial development.” ,

“If the present period of slow economic growth continues it is doubted if Roileston can be provided with the necessary services economically,” the council says. Even if there was a higher growth rate, the council says, it doubts that Rolleston could grow quickly enough to cope with the demand. .... The council criticised

the proposed development of Rolleston within the administration of two local authorities — Ellesmere and Paparua County Councils. The council suggests that an alternative area of urban growth should be provided as a “safety valve.” The development of Templeton would be one option. “The development of Canterbury depends considerably on a strong Christchurch urban area.” Submissions to the draft regional review should be considered by the Canterbury United Council, not the Regional Planning Authority, as the council is the authority that will implement and administer the final approved regional scheme, the council says.

The council, in its submissions, says that it will be “most unwise” for the review of the regional scheme to proceed too far while the Regional Planning Authority is still in existence. The “stringent planning methods” needed to implement the regional scheme are seen as likely to depress rather than promote the economic growth of Canterbury. The regional scheme should not be involved in details which are the responsibility of a district scheme. “The regional scheme itself should remain on a regional level, setting out policies, objectives, strategies and guidelines.” “It is because of- the unnecessary and frequent involvement by the authority in applications of district scheme importance that much of the present friction between the authority and the various councils exist,” the council says.

the Paparua County Council has also called for flexibility in future planning to allow for changes in land use.