Low tip grading queried

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 9

Low tip grading queried

The marginal grading given to the Sawyers Arms Road refuse pit in a Health Department survey has upset Waimairi District councillors. Cr I. Calvert said other tips in New Zealand “must be gold-plated” for Sawyers Arms to get such a low grading. He told members of the works, reserves and traffic committee that the council “had a good operation.” Cr F. S. Blogg disagreed, saying the council had been criticised in the past... and that some endeavour should be made to improve the pit. The report was a “pointless exercise” by the department, said the district chairman, Mr D. B. Rich. The council had already opted for a more up-to-date rubbish disposal system and had decided to close the Sawyers Arms Road tip. “We want to get rid of the tip,” he said.

The council is a member of the Metropolitan Refuse

Disposal Committee and when planning considerations are finalised a northern transfer station will be built by the committee in Redwood. The Sawyers Arms Road tip will then be closed to the public. The department graded dumps throughout New Zealand on a scale of A to E for their site, and from 1 to 5 for their functioning. Sawyers Arms Road was graded 83. The county engineer, Mr A. J. W. Lamb, said the dump was run as well as possible on an unsuitable site. Problems with dust and birds and the lack of provision for the acceptance of toxic wastes had given the dump so many demerit pointe, he said. Beach use Riders of trail bikes and beach buggies should be allowed in the Waimairi Beach dunes, councillors were told.

Mr D. L. Payne, who rides in the area, appeared at the meeting, which also received a petition from 43 residents who oppose the activity. The residents are concerned about noise levels and safety. For the residents, Mrs O. N. Hughes said the problem was worsening. She called for council and Ministry of Transport action to stop vehicles travelling through streets on to the dunes. Mr Payne said the problem could be solved if a different entrance to the dunes was marked. “Flushing out” the riders was unreasonable as they had nowhere else to go. Mr C. L. Robertson, of the Canterbury Three-Wheeler Association, said threewheeled vehicles did not cause erosion. He said association members would like to see an area set aside for their use.

Cr F. Chisholm said, “The council is under no obliga-

tion to provide for every kind of sport.”

The council has been worried about sand dune erosion for some years. The committee chairman, Cr I. G. Clark, said there were clearly difficulties in achieving compatible recreational uses of the beach. It was decided that the matter should be further investigated, with council staff preparing a report. The council hopes to make some decision before the local body elections in October. “This council has got to show a determination to do whatever is necessary to stop this nuisance,” said Mr Rich. Parking Nine residents of Farrington Avenue, Bishopdale, have asked the council to stop casual car-parking on the eastern side of the street. In a petition they said shoppers parked in the

avenue rather than the parks provided in the shopping centre.

The traffic engineer, Mr P. L. Atkinson, said the problem was “typical” of areas where vehicles congregated. Restrictions could not be imposed only on casual parking-residents too would be affected. Cr Calvert said if residents were happy, there was no reason why parking should not be banned. The matter was referred for more investigation. Traffic islands Traffic islands should be clearly marked, said the committee chairman, Mr I. G. Clark. At night or in rainy conditions painted island kerbs were not highly visible. Reflective marking or road studs should be used more often, said Mr Atkinson.