TOWN-PLANNING IN WANAKA

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4555, 5 March 1942, Page 3

TOWN-PLANNING IN WANAKA

ALLEGED DISSATISFACTION WITH SCHEME

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS RESIDENTS

In response to a largely-signed petition from the residents' of Wanaka asking for a discussion on the townplanning scheme mapped out for the township some years ago, the members of the Lake County Council met between 50 and GO townspeople in the Public Hall on Friday night last. The chairman (Mr D, H. Cockburn), said the council was pleased to fall in i 1 with the request of the people to discuss the town-planning scheme. He said when the people of Wanaka asked for town-planning to be adopted in the township, the council regarded it as a progressive move and took the necessary steps to set the necessary machinery in motion. Plans were drawn in conformity to instruction of the Town-Planing Board and the council is now entirely responsible to the Board in carrying out the scheme and any amendments or variations that might be suggested in its fulfilment. The chairman of the council then gave a short history of the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the scheme. In JSTovember, 1935, the Wanaka Progress League approached the council regarding the formation of a town-planning scheme for Pembroke (now Wanaka) and a petition consisting of 41 names of Wanaka ratepayers supported the project. The council then communicated with the Government departments interested with a view to presenting details of scheme to ratepayers. Unavoidable delays occurred and on the 20th October, 1937, the council met the Wanaka ratepay- 1 ers and after the scheme was outlined in general it was unanimously resolved on the motion of Dr A. H. Elmslio and J. M. McKay “That this meeting of ratepayers are in favour of a modified form of town-planning for Wanaka and asks the Lake County Council to take action in this direction by having the necessary plans prepared under the Town Planning Act. ” In accordance to this request the council next day approved of the prej paration of a town plan for Wanaka, being convinced that the undoubted feeling of the people was behind the resolution. On the 15th February, 1938, an ordor-in-council required the council to prepare a town planning scheme and in-view of this the council, with the help of the Lands and Survey Department and support of the Town Planning Advisor, Mr Mawson, eventually finalised the plan which had been made available for public inspection. A population of 2000 was contemplated under the scheme in the next 50 years. Every opportunity was given the residents to ascertain from the plan just how their individual interests in Wanaka would be affected. Though the war had slowed up Departmental work, the council had been well occupied in ascertaining possible costs of transfer and valuations and such other charges as may become necessary to proceed with the scheme. Apparent opposition to the scheme was now forcibly brought before the council by the action of one ratepayer in commencing building operations within the prohibited area and the presentation by the member of the riding of a petition asking the council to take further steps to ascertain the support of the ratepayers for the scheme, it being considered that the enforcement of the plan would have a detrimental effect on the further progress of Wanaka.

Mr Cockburn stated that the people of Wanaka may raise objections to the Scheme and the council can support or consider any representations made to them, but they must realise that all objections, with the council ? s comment, can only be forwarded to the town Planning Board for its consideration. The people of Wanaka and the council are not free agents. As it stands at present the Town Planning Board has the sole right of approval or disapproval of all objections to the dualising of the scheme. In conclusion Mr Cockburn said that he hoped that any objections now raised might be overcome by a variation or amendment in the scheme so that it would not be turned down. The benefits of town planning had proved incalculable and he was certain that Wanaka with its wonderful scenic atractions would, under town planning, prove one of the finest tourists resorts in the Do-minion. Cr. L. Lee also recounted the negotiations leading up to the adoption of town planning for Wanaka. The council had given the utmost consideration to the question and afforded every facility for the finalisation of a plan which was considered to be a good one. He spoke of the haphazard methods that were adopted in laying out many towns in blew Zealand entailing the scrapping of so-called improvements. He ventured to assert that unless they adopted a town planning scheme 75 jrer cent, of the expenditure incurred in drainage would be wasted. The council would be only too pleased to consider any amendment or modification to the scheme xather than see it scrapped. Ho asked the people to look ahead. Any apparent hardship at the present time would be complete-

Jy wiped out in the future. The Town Planning scheme he considered would prove of inestimable benefit to the people of Wanaka and the council would welcome any suggestions for in the scheme rather than take any drastic step to annul it. Mr G. Burrows questioned Or Lee'sj statement regarding the waste of expenditure in drainage if proper plans were not adhered to and he was told of instances where this occurred.

In further reply to Mr Burrows regarding the eligibility of those who voted for the town planning scheme he was assured that only ratepayers recorded their votes.

A lady in the hall asked why the creek was not taken into the reserve and the chairman replied that the intention was to use the reserve for the purpose of beautifying the town and the water could be used by householders.

Mr Burrows proposed that this representative meeting of ratepayers of Wanaka township respectfully requests the Lake County Council to take the necessary action to repeal in its entirety the Wanaka Town PlanningScheme and urge the Government to withdraw all Crown lands and private sections included in the proposed extension of reserves. The motion was

seconded by Mr D. Anderson. The chairman said he could not accept the motion in this form as an opportunity must be given to all ratepayers in the township to have a say in the matter.

Mr Burrows agreed to amend the motion asking that a postal vote bo taken by the council. Mr Bridgman proposed as an amend-

ment that a further meeting be held so that the matter of town planning can be gone into thoroughly and the map fully examined. The mover felt certain that many of the people concerned had little knowledge of the scheme.

Mr Stevens, a member of the audience, said the council should be commended for the trouble it had gone to in connection with the scheme. He was of opinion that the people had always shown a high sense of citizenship and he thought that at least an opportunity should be given to make amendments in the scheme.

Mr Lee expressed the opinion that the motion was too drastic. It would be better to ascertain what amendments might be made to eliminate cases of hardship. The member for the riding (Or Aubrey) could be consulted in this respect. It was pointed out that the adoption of the scheme would definitely put a stop to the erection of shoddy buildings. Mr Burrows protested at what he called high-salaried officers taking a part in the planning of the town. He considered that their own local body was capable of carrying out the job.

After some discussion Mr Burrows agreed to withdraw his motion. The amendment then became the motion and was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

A further motion appointing Messrs L. Robertson, J. Perrow, Bridgman and Dr Douglas as a committee to go into the matter of amendments to the scheme and submit same to the public meeting to be called at a later date was carried.

The chairman said it was hoped the meeting of ratepayers of Wanaka township would arranged for a date that would enable representatives of the council to be present.