Still no decision on Bradnor Rd bridge

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 6

Still no decision on Bradnor Rd bridge

A decision has still not been made on whether to allow a bridge to be built across the Wairarapa Stream at Bradnor Road, .

A special meeting of the Waimairi County Council on March 31 narrowly defeated a motion in favour of the application by Mr R. R. Currie to build the bridge. Then on April 16, at a monthly meeting of the council a motion favouring Mr Currie’s application was defeated — but no final decision was made.

At a meeting of the council’s works, reserves and traffic committee last evening, councillors were asked to consider a recommendation that “should Mr Currie’s application for a residence proceed,” he be advised that access to the site must be via Glandovey Road only. Further, it was asked to consider the suggestion that a “reserve” portion of Bradnor Road be officially designated as reserve land. The discussion became complicated when Cr I. Calvert queried whether it was legal under standing orders for a notice of motion to be renewed within six months of its-fjrst being raised. The meeting was adjourned for 10 ft minutes while the committee’s., chairman (Cr I. G. Clark), studied the county rules. In his decision he said, “We have a motion to approve the construction ’ of a bridge and this was defeated. Subsequently, we have had a notice of motion that the matter be recommitted. "The motion has been suggested tonight that should the application proceed, access to the bridge should be confined to- Glandovey Road only. Although the words are different, the substance remains

the same and therefore I rule the matter, must, remain closed.” The further recommendation in the agenda,_ that consequent to the earlier recommendation, the council initiate steps formally to close the “reserve” portion of Bradnor Road, was subsequently withdrawn from the agenda. Similarly, a petition signed by more than 300 ratepayers in the area supporting the official creation of a reserve, was held back and deferred until the next meeting. Cr Clark told the meeting, however, that the notice of motion could be raised again at the next council meeting, before the six-month deadline, if it was signed by not less than one-third of council members.

In suggesting that a separate notice of motion be put before the next council meeting, Cr Calvert said there was a danger of having both to tell Mr Currie that the bridge was not approved and, at the same time, local residents that neither had the reserve been approved. Putting the notice at the next meeting, he said, would get rid of all the legalities they were stumbling against. Subdivision Decisions , were equally hard to come by on whether the county should assume responsibility for servicing a proposed subdivision in Paparoa Street. The difficulties arose because the land bordered an area already serviced by the Christchurch City Council. “It is common .sense that when the City Council provides refuse and water services within a few yards of the subdivision, that negotia-

tions should be opened for it to service this one also,” said Cr W. T. Rice. Cr B. E. Cossar said: “I think the council is obliged to service the land, but I do not think we have enough facts here tonight. We need further research.” The recommendation was passed that the question be referred to the finance subcommittee for further consideration, especially regarding the costs involved. Chemical sprays A complaint by Cr M. E. Murray about daytime chemical spraying in Bumside Park was defended by the committee chairman. Cr Murray said that she had seen spraying in the park between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. when children were playing on the grass and the tennis courts were in use. What had disturbed her most, she said, was the fact that bees were seen to die when they came in contact with the sprays. The County Engineer (Mr A. J. W. Lamb) said that it was not always practical to spray at night. It was reported that autumn was the best time of year to kill grass grubs. Earlier the ground was too dry and the abundant rains of autumn were able to wash the chemicals deep into the ground.

When Cr H. M. Tait expressed concern about the effects on the water supply, Cr Clark replied: “It is in your bones already and we have to accept the hazards that result. If we left the grass grubs alone, we would be attacked for not propertly controlling the park.”

Mr Lamb said he would “take note” of the matter.