Urban transport area proposal criticised

Press, 26 May 1983, Page 3

Urban transport area proposal criticised

The Canterbury United Council will use a provisional urban transport area designation this year for the purposes of receiving Government financial assistance, but some local bodies north of the Waimakariri River are opposed to the boundaries. Comments on the proposed area are required from local bodies by May 31. Cr H. W. Cumberland yesterday told the United Council that local bodies north of the Waimairi District Council’s northern boundary did not want to be in the area. Those local bodies could be forced to appeal through the Local Government Commission if a United Council decision included them in an area which would bring them some rating responsibility for urban transport.

“It would be better if local bodies came in when they wished to come in,” said Cr Cumberland.

The Rangiora Borough Council has told the United Council that it wants to be

included in the transport area.

“We seem to be forcing the issue with some local areas not yet committed to the idea,” said Cr T. M. Inch. “It is not good for the United Council to be seen to be inflicting the thing on constituent members.” Cr Inch said it seemed as if the idea was being pushed ahead in spite of some opposition and misunderstanding.

“We should find a better way of doing things than to just bulldoze doggedly ahead when we know we are buying a fight,” said Cr Inch.

Cr D. B. Rich said that councillors realised the issue was not resolved, “but to get finance and some progress, we really need to adopt some scheme for this year. We must have a proposal.” Cr Cumberland said he could accept it if it was specified for this year only. Cr M. E. Foster, the urban transport committee’s

chairman, said the recommendation clearly made the provision for this financial year. Cr Foster said that some councillors were “reading too much into it.” Mr G. C. Miller, the regional planning director, said there was no attempt to prejudge, or even influence, the urban transport area in the recommendation. It was simply an administrative convenience to allow the urban transport programme to proceed this year.