Councillors told of need to identify filled land

Press, 3 June 1983, Page 5

Councillors told of need to identify filled land

Sections with areas of filled land should be clearly identified as such on deposit plans, Waimairi District councillors were told yesterday. A recent High Court decision said that the council had limited liability for the damage caused to flats in Cutts Road, Yaldhurst, through subsidence. Cr F. S. Blogg told the council’s town-planning committee that filled sections should be shown on deposit plans. There was no harm in being ultra-cautious on land that had been filled, he said. The District Engineer, Mr A. J. W. Lamb, said land purchasers could obtain such information from the council. A hazard register of filled land was being prepared. A block of partly filled land in Everest Street, Bumside, was also discussed. An application by Ashby Bros, Ltd, to subdivide the land into 17 residential lots was received. The committee recommended that the lots, covering I.sha, could be subdivided. A number of conditions were recommended including the subdivider’s onus to inform prospective purchasers of the nature of the ground. The work will also need Christchurch Drainage Board approval and monL toring by the District Engineer. The costs to be met from the Cutts Road ruling have yet to be assessed by the council’s insurance company. However, the council’s share of damages for diminishing value of the affected properties is estimated at $20,000, or $5OOO for each property. The Cutts Road flats were built on the site of an old shingle pit/

The District Chairman, Mr®. B. Rich, said that some aspects of the law

relating to the case were a “menace” and needed revision. Crs M. E. Murray and I. G. Clark said that the worry caused to the residents was unfortunate. “The worry that has affected the health of some of those people cannot so easily be recompensed,” said Cr Clark. Merrin Street Objections to the extension to the Merrin Street and Withells Road shopping centre are still being considered. The council is seeking legal advice on some of the points raised by the objectors. A meeting of council representatives and residents of the area was held on Tuesday.

Only two of the objectors attended. Two petitions were presented. One signed by 17 persons said that work on the extensions should stop until affected residents were consulted. The other was from six retailers in support of the proposed extensions. Cr M. E. Murray, the riding representative, said that the concerns of most of the petitioners could be allayed. “The problem is getting people to hear what we say,” she said. Cr Murray said that one of the complaints was about the noise level of freezing units at the Russley Supermarket. A scheme for angle parking at the corner of Brookby Crescent and Withells Road, next to the supermarket, was also an issue. A number of legal points raised verbally by Dr A. J. Nicholson will be sought in writing so that the council can get a legal opinion on them. Bridge club A bridge club inJTotara Street is looking for new

premises. The club, which meets up to four times a week in a hall owned by the Masonic Lodge, has attracted complaints of noise. Of the 42 residents in Totara Street, 40 signed a petition expressing concern about the club. Because the hall has no off-street parking, cars are parked on the street. The District Engineer, Mr A. J. W. Lamb, said that the club was trying to find an alternative venue. Issues relating to the use of the hall have also been put before the Planning Tribunal. Bradnor Road On legal advice the council will not issue a building permit to Mr R. R. Currie who wishes to bridge the Wairarapa Stream. Mr Currie has reapplied for a permit to build a bridge from his section to the end of Bradnor Road. In a recent High Court decision the council’s actions in denying the permit were said to be improper. The council is considering further action on the issue, which started three years ago. After a brief discussion in open meeting it decided to exclude the public for further debate. Appeals The council is still considering an appeal against a Planning Tribunal decision allowing a Prestons Road resident a building permit. The council declined the application of Mr D. M. Pither. His section is outside the Christchurch Drainage Board area, but the tribunal granted the permit on the ground that the board could provide a sewerage connection. The council intends to move the boundary to encompass the section, but the change is expected to take at least a year.

Radio mast A 10.1 m high radio mast and antenna will be built at 3 Argo Place, Northcote. Mr J. W. Philpott, a licensed amateur radio operator, will be allowed the mast provided he takes it down if the property is sold. The District Engineer must also approve its construction and maintenance. One objection from a neighbouring property owner was received, but the council considered the objector’s concerns could be satisfied. Vineyards Vineyards in the Auckland region had shops and were on busy roads, Cr I. Calvert reported. Cr Calvert said that while in Auckland at a conference he had been taken to a variety of vineyards. “It would take us quite a bit of adjustment to accept,” he said of some of the vineyard sitings and activities. He said that it seemed common for the vineyards to bring in grapes from other areas, for both blending and commercial purposes.

Waimairi has recently heard two applications by persons wishing to establish vineyards. To accommodate the new use in the district the council is considering altering its District Scheme.

Cr Calvert said that the Auckland visit would help planning decisions, but he felt Waimairi’s cautious standards guarded against problems he had seen. At one vineyard with a shop, customers had been unable to turn back on to a busy main road at peak travelling times. The council recently granted one wine business permission to sell from its Main North Road site. However,,strict rules on parking areastand access to the road