Regional planning function defended

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 3

Regional planning function defended

Without regional planning and stringent land-use policies round the Christchurch metropolitan area, growth could have been "physically disastrous." Cr T. j. Brdcherie told the CanterburyUnited Council's policy and resources committee yesterday. Without restraints, such as the urban fence and rural green belt, "the city could have developed 50 miles in any direction.'' he said. Cr Brocherie's comments came after the latest calls for cutting costs in regional planning "We should look at this council like a business." said Cr R. H Sloss. "If your product is not selling, you should look at it and improve on it." Local bodies should be left alone to do minor planning, said Cr Rex Lester, while the United Council concentrated on changing its direction.

"We would be better off to let them make the odd mistake." he said of district planning.

Cr Brocherie said it was not right to say the United Council was not achieving anything with its present work in planning, urban transports rural resources, and rural employment.

"As these studies are completed. you are going to see some of the benefits we have already achieved." he said. Mr G. C. Miller, the regional planning director, said that a significant planning effort was needed to allow specific issues to be seen in perspective. "I think there are some myths about planning that need to be pretty firmly scotched." said Mr Miller. There was very little duplication between district and regional planning. The United Council needed the ability to consider shortterm or topical matters while longer-term planning continued in the background.

Mr Miller admitted that planning tasks were “somewhat abstract, and it is not easy to demonstrate their immediate relevance and value." Advocacy of regional issues was needed, but it could not replace planning.