Heathcote councillor replaced

Press, 30 April 1982, Page 4

Heathcote councillor replaced

The Heathcote County Council's representative on the Metropolitan Refuse Disposal Committee, Cr Margaret Buchanan, will be replaced. in spite of her plea last evening to be retained. A meeting of the County Council accepted a recommendation of the works and reserves committee that Cr T. P. Wills replace Cr Buchanan as the council’s representative. Cr Buchanan asked the council to reconsider the matter. She said the situation would have been more workable and reasonable if she had been able to join the council's works and reserves committee.

Cr Buchanan had attended works and reserves meetings, but had no power to vote as she is not a member. The council's chairman. Mr W. M. Hindmarsh, said a proposal and seconder would be needed for Cr Buchanan's request. It was not entirely correct to say that she had been required to report to the works and reserves committee. Reporting was to be at her convenience, he said. Mr Hindmarsh said Cr Buchanan’s views had been taking precedence over that of the council, at Refuse Committee meetings. Other councils were "getting in front of Heathcote's point of view.” Cr Buchanan said she had voted according to the council's policy. She had represented the council’s policy at

the Refuse Committee meetings, although she would like to think she had an independent voice in discussion on some points. “I do not think I have misrepresented this council,” she said. Cr 0. T. Alpers said he would second Cr Buchanan's proposal pro forma if she moved it. After a pause, Mr Hindmarsh ruled that Cr Buchanan had not moved the proposal and moved on to next business. Cr Buchanan said she had misunderstood and that she wished to move the proposal. Cr Hindmarsh ruled that the next business be taken. Control of dogs The council's work and reserves committee will consider ways of controlling dogs in the county, and the distribution of dog control by-laws to-owners. Cr M. J. Taylor said she did not think the council had ever prosecuted under its dog by-laws. When a comflaint was made, the County lerk wrote to the dog-owner pointing out the by-law. Cr Taylor suggested a reexamination of the by-law to find its effectiveness, an increase in dog ranger activities, the identification of dog owners who ignore the bylaw. employing someone to clean fouled footpaths and reserves, a notice on dognuisance problems in a newsletter distributed to

householders, and the promotion of a “clean up your streets" campaign. She also suggested circulating the bylaw to dog-owners. Cr R. Simcock said he would like to see dogs kept away from shopping centres, particularly in the summer. Dogs fouling the footpaths attracted flies, he said. He would also like to see better control of dogs. Noise alarm Noise levels monitored at the Hillsborough Tavern by a monitor and visual and audible alarms should comply with noise provisions in the council's by-laws and in the district planning scheme, the meeting agreed. These will be installed by the tavern manager. Cr B. E. Sutherland said that in spite of modifications to a ventilation duct in the tavern roof, nearby residents were still troubled by noise. Noise levels should ’be acceptable to the by-laws and the district plan, he said. The council agreed that when the monitor and alarm have been installed, no further action will be taken, provided noise levels are not exceeded and the alarm is not inoperable. Swimming pools The council will consider whether pools smaller than 22.500 litres capacity should need a building permit.