BIG DEVELOPMENT

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1945, Page 7

BIG DEVELOPMENT

NORTH OF WELLINGTON State Expansion of Amenities P.A. WELLINGTON, March 16 Important proposals lor planned development of Porirua harbour, Titahi Bay, and Upper Hutt Valley, are embodied in Gazette notices to-day. They are issued under amendments to the Public Works Act, incorporated in the Finance Act Number 3, last session. They are designed to ensure that the compensation to be paid for any lands affected by the development should not be inflated either through the owners-prior knowledge of the works, or through the partial completion of the development works. The areas affected are lands in the Porirua Basin, including Tawa Flat and Titahi Bay, and the Judgeford area and in the upper part of Hutt Valley, including the Upper Hutt Borough, Stokes Valley and Mungaroa Valley. Hon. R. Semple explained to-day that these notices do not mean that all of the land in these areas is proposed to be acquired by the State or any local body. The taking of certain parts will not mean the disturbing of the present residents, except where a building is in the direct line of some road, or other development. In general, the residents in the areas can look forward to improved amenities. The works envisaged include a new water supply and improved access between Hutt Valley and the Porirua Basin, via the Playward’sFahautanui highway, with services such as electricity, drainage, sewerage and transport. In the case of Porirua there will be an improvement of the electric railway system, and it will be fed by the buses of a fast suburban passenger service. The main road through the Ngahauranga Gorge will be extended from Johnsonville to Plimmerton. The, Waterloo railway is to be extended to join the Wairarapa line at Silverstream, with a double line to Upper Hutt. The main road right through the Valiev will be converted to a modern four-lane highway. The Hutt River will be bridged near Taita. Mr. Semple said that two years, at the most, would be needed to complete the State housing in the, lower part of the Hutt Valley. The Government contemplated providing many thousands more dwellings under the Housing Construction Act, while leaving full allowance for private development. He wished to make it clear that those desirous ot building their own homes within tne area to be acquired by the Crown would have an opportunity to do so as soon as the development was sufficiently advanced The Govel n n f v’ould be prepared to dispose of sec tions for this purpose.