Rolleston growth guidelines

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 6

Rolleston growth guidelines

Rolleston may never be the big new town seen by the Labour Government in the early 19705, but a new report shows how it could-develop slowly-as a.controlled satellite community. The study has been made by a working group of local body and Government planners,’ and conducted mainly by Mr David Sheppard. who worked on the original Rolleston proposals. It shows ways to zone Rolleston , and its surroundings in a way that would take the area out from under Canterbury United Council special development controls. ' ' ’ 14 -

The “structure study" will now be considered by Ellesmere and Paparua County leaders, as Rolleston’s special development area lies in their districts. ? •

The report shows a proposed. zoning pattern that would lead Rolleston’s further development away

from the State Highway and railway corridor. The proposed township — which could have a population of 10.000 within 20 years. — would be partly surrounded by a rural buffer zone including forests and other uses. Special landscaping along the highway is proposed south-west of. the present township. Across, the railway line, where the tracks veer off towards the West Coast, land would be zoned industrial. Another block of land next to the railway line would, be set aside for new rural lots.

Forestry. lots and sewerage treatment ponds would take up part of the rural zone over the remainder of the present special development control area.

In the expanded township itself — covering about 600 ha east of the State Highway — lOOha of 'existing forestry block’s Would-be’ retained. ’ There could be lOOha of

industrial zoning, and 300 ha of residential zoning.

There could also be 50ha set aside for community .and commercial purposes.' and 50ha for recreation. -

Outside the township, in the 400 ha rural buffer zone, land could be zoned tor houses on large lots.

Rolleston’s special development control area covers about 4735tia. The Government holds some 250 ha for deferred urban development under .an agreement with Ellesmere County.

The new study has. assumed that the Government may not give any special assistance that vvould . encourage employers to set up businesses in the area. > ’

There are not enough local 'jobs now for people whodive in Rolleston. But the report says that more agricultural activity, in the area would probably have a minimal effect on employment? "< For one thing, agricultural

processing firms are already well established at Hornby and Sockburn.

Any other employment growth in the south-west area was- likely to be small in scale and gradual, without commitments of money and support for. relocated employers "To support a new population Of 10,000 in the area would require in the order of 4000 new jobs, or a 100 per cent increase of the present job opportunities in the area,” the report says. It adds: "The potential to develop the south-west area further is seen to be relatively limited unless new activities, such as energy farming or further intensive farming, are introduced.”

Rolleston is not characteristic of settlements in that part of Canterbury. Its layout was conceived last century; but its growth had occurred mainly over the last 10 years when there Was

housing development pressure on the outskirts of Christchurch.

"At its present size, the township is acknowledged by most to be acting neither as a rural service town, nor as a town in its own right.” the report says. "For the last seven years, its future has been effectively in limbo.”

Since 1975. when the new town project was cancelled, land set aside for that development has been held in an interim restrictive rural zone by Ellesmere County. One contrast to the southwest area growth pattern is Leeston. the Ellesmere County centre. Data obtained during the new study showed that the town — outside the Christchurch commuting area — "has developed a noticeably wider economic base” and “a high degre of self-sufficiency in jobs, employment, and services.”