Call to hear bach plea

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 9

Call to hear bach plea

Renewed pleas for the retention of at least some Taylors Mistake baches on public land should be considered after a Planning Tribunal decision on the issue, the Christchurch City Council’s public utilities committee said yesterday.

Bach licence holders and area surf life-saving clubs have urged the council to reconsider its long-standing decision that baches on public land near the beach should be removed by March, 1986. Bach occupiers had contributed significantly to the area’s development, safety and well-being, the committee was told.

Mr P. G. Hill, a bachholder, presented a report that contended that the installation of toilets with electricity supplied meant that earlier worries about causes of pollution were over.

“In due course, it may well be that the council

wishes to proceed with specific development of Taylors Mistake,” said the report. “However, a plea is made that until firm proposals are established and ready to proceed, the council continue to recognise the contribution of the bach owners, and the unique community which has developed in this area, by removing the requirement to quit.”

A Taylors Mistake Surf Life-Saving Club representative. said that the club depended on membership from families of bach occupiers. Dr D. E. Stewart, a Taylors Mistake Road resident on freehold land, said that a lot of baches were “obviously on public property, and obviously not all of them can stay.” He asked if the council could consider allowing some to stay under a longterm lease arrangement.