Change in magazine designation likely

Press, 12 May 1982, Page 7

Change in magazine designation likely

Land at Cass Bay on which seven magazines are sited will probably soon be redesignated a “magazine and protection area." Members of the Lyttelton Borough Council’s town-plan-ning committee discussed a recommendation from its hearing committee that the designation of the land be changed. The land, used for storing explosives since 1945, is designated a Department of Scientific and Industrial Research ionosphere station. TheLatour Department wants .'the designation nf the

land to be. changed to a “magazine and protection area.” - Members of the town-plan-ning committee agreed with the hearing committee’s recommendation that the designation of the land be

changed, subject to some conditions. It will now be up to the council at its meeting next week, to approve the recom- ’ mendation. Among the conditions the hearing committee wants imposed on the site are improved road access to the magazines and a new fence built above the top magazine. It has also recommended that none of the magazines be extended. Labour Department explosives experts told the hearing committee .last month that the magazines met all safetv regulations. Should an

explosion occur the force of the blast would push through the roof of the magazines and not through their double brick walls. The Cass Bay Residents' Association has objected to the proposed change In designation. .

Traffic problems Heavy traffic on Godley Quay has upset- local resi- ’ dents, the committee members heard. Residents wrote to the council complaining that heavy trucks involved in the construction of the new Magazine Bay marina were shaking house foundations. The residents also expect heavier traffic to continue once the marina is complete; Committee members decided the best way to combat the problem would be to reseal part of Godley Quay. It was recommended that the borough engineer ar- ■ range for a “hotmix” sealing at the corner of Godley Quay and Simeon Quay. It was felt that this would reduce the vibrations from the heavy traffic.