Large-Scale Plan For Improvement Of Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1944, Page 2

Large-Scale Plan For Improvement Of Whangarei

Comprehensive improvement in Whangarei Borough was envisaged in a seven-point programme placed before the Borough Council last night and debated for some time, ultimately being referred to the works committee for consideration, as several councillors expressed the view that they were not prepared to vote on the proposals until given opportunity for further study. The programme was placed before the council by Cr. R. J. N. Crosby, who said he was concerned at the number of complaints being received by the council from ratepayers. Probably the public did not appreciate the extent to which borough work had been affected by lack of manpower and other war conditions with which the engineer was not able to keep pace. It was necessary, however, for the council to prepare for the post-war period for the time would come when problems would have to be met and overcome. To this end the council should consider a comprehensive policy regaiding its roads and streets and also provide for dealing with the ripping up of thoroughfares for gas, water and electric services.

Seven-Point Plan

Cr. Crosby moved that the engineer should be asked to prepare estimates for: Q) Bitumen sealing of all unsealed streets in the borough to a width of 42ft; (2) extending existing bitumen sealing of partially sealed streets to ihe full width of 42ft carriageway; (3) provision of concrete footpaths on both sides of borough streets for their full width, including Bank and Cameron Strreets; (4) provision of underground channels for carrying water, gas and electric services in Bank Street, Cameron Street, Kamo Road (to Whau Valley corner), Mill Road and Maunu Road (to borough boundary); (5) resealing of Bank and Cameron Streets; or (6) laying down Bank and Cameron Streets in concrete; (7) annual cost of maintenance of borough streets on completion of the foregoing programme. Such estimates would be a guide to the council in planning for future works, said Cr. Crosby. He was convinced that an 18ft carriageway would carry all traffic at the present time but this meant that the council was faced with the eternal problem of paspalum, blocked culverts and weed chipping, the cost of which was considerable, and he believed that a longrange policy of sealing carriageways 42ft in width would be economical and efficient.

All Want Borough Improvement

Seconding the motion pro forma to enable the proposal to be discussed. Cr. S. Oldcorn said that the scheme was similar to those in .the minds of councillors, all of whom were concerned with borough improvement. At the present time, however, he considered that the scheme was too comprehensive and that the engineer’s time in compiling the estimates would largely be wasted as he would be providing not merely for the future, but for the ultimate needs of Whangarei. If Cr. Crosby had suggested taking one portion of the town and completing the work there thoroughly and, at the same time, maintaining other streets as well as possible he would have been more in accord.

While not objecting to the motion, the Mayor (Mr W. Jones) pointed out that the engineer could not possibly prepare estimates for such a scheme, and do his ordinary work, in less time than two years. If the estimates were required in less time it would be necessary to employ skilled assistance for the engineer. He hoped, however, that with this in mind, the council would support the motion.

Loan Necessary to Plan

Supporting the view that considerable time would be occupied in compiling the estimates, the chairman of the works committee (Cr. L. Reynolds) said that after tin' report had been prepared the council would be faced with the financial aspect Such a scheme could not be carried out with finance from revenue and would involve the raising of a loan. After conferring with the engineer (Mr. I. A. Cromic), the Mayer stated that the engineer had advised him that he could present to the council a provisional scheme with provisional estimates in aoout six months, but a detailed scheme .would occupy a much longer period. Many factors entered into the preparation cf estimates at the present time, said the engineer. Costs were continually changing, and this would greatly affect any estimates. Bitumen, which was now costing £36 a ton, might revert to its prewar price of £7/10/- a ton, an item which thereby would mean great difference in expenditure. Regarding concreting of footpaths, he said that the council might consider installation of a plant for manufacturing concrete paving slabs which could be removed and relaid when streets were being taken up for essential services. Other factors which had to be considered were respective widths of footpaths and carriage-ways, but he believed that he could give the council a tentative estimate, in six months’ time. On Contract Basis

Cr. S. J. Snow supported the scheme, staling that an improvement programme should be undertaken as much at one time as possible, but lie realised that such work could not be provided out of revenue. H<‘ advocated the letting of sucii work by contract, stating that large contracting firms with medu'n machinery could carry cut the work more economically than by borough employees. The ex penditure would be large, but much less would have to be spent on maintenanceafter the work had been properly carried out.

“We all agree that we want to see progress." said Cr. H. W. James. Some streets were in bad repair, but this was due to war conditions and lack of manpower. A survey was needed, but ho was concerned over what period the financial burden involved would be placed on the burgesses.

The Mayor said that this point would have (o be considered later. Cr. James said he considered the scheme rather ambitious at the present time, and he thought that more urgent work in the town should be carried out first. The town was continually growing and no matter what scheme the council adopted it would be faced later with the provision of new streets. He believed that the cost would be great and more than ratepayers could bear at the present iirnc. High Policy Question

Describing the proposal as a matter of high policy. Cr. D. L. Ross said he was not disposed to accept the scheme in its entirety until tie had had the opportunity cf giving it further thought. Conditions were changing, and personally he was not prepared to say that he could vote for the scheme without further reflection. He thought it should be referred to the works and finance committee, which could consider the relative parts of the scheme which ail were seeking and which all desired to see in operation. Cr. L. R. Hegley favoured the proposal, while realising that the engineer was fuily occupied and that, in preparing estimates, he would have to deal with fluctuating costs. He agreed with Cr. Snow that contract work was the quickest and cheapest when carried out under proper supervision. The scheme was ambitious, but he thought it should be put in operation as soon as possible. The opinion that the scheme, while commendable. should not stand in the way cf urgent works, was expressed by Cr. J. E. Henderson.

Cr. J. F. Johnson said he preferred that he should have more time in which to consider the scheme and give it more mature judgment. Replying to the debate. Cr. Crosby agived that the scheme was ambitious, but a borough of the size of Whangarei could well be ambitious. look to th<- future and strive to achieve an efficient result at the lowest cost. With his present staff the engineer could not cope with the work andt as a result, the council had continuous complaints. Under the scheme the work would be carried cut permanently. Estimates Only Asked

Cr. Crosby emphasised, however, that all he had suggested was that estimates should be prepared. The engineer was-a 'competent man who knew what costs

wore and could prepare estimates that would be a guide to the council. If they were available in six months’ time the council would 'nave moved a long way towards formulating a policy for the post • war period. None was satisfied with the present state of affairs and, at the present rate o: work, it would take 10 or 15 years before every street and footpath was sealed, while, in that time, other streets would be deteriorating. A big factor in such a comprehensive scheme was that patching, cleaning and chipping would largely be: eliminated, with consequential reduction in maintenance costs, a saving which probably would offset interest and sinking fund charges on loan moneys. As a considerable ratepayer he realised that rales probably would be affected, but as a citizen he was prepared to face increased rates in the interests of borough progress. After the Mayor had pointed out that some councillors had expressed reluctance to vote without further opportunity for considering the proposals, Cr. Crosby amended his motion, providing for the seven proposals to be forwarded to the works committee, which comprises the whei - council, for examination and report, and in this form it was carried unanimously