Sewer Costs On State House Blocks

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1947, Page 4

Sewer Costs On State House Blocks

Costs of sewer reticulation on state housing blocks in Whangarei were detailed in a letter from the Housing Construction Department to the Whangarei Borough Council.

Costs A»>cre: Nelson block, Kamo Road, £800; Otangarei block, Cairnfield Road, approximately £25,000; Thomson block, Moody’s Avenue, £1470; Carruth block, Maunu Road and Third Avenue, approximately £1300; Weaver block, Rust Avenue, approximately, £9OO. i

If the blocks had not been purchased by the Crown the loss of general rates while waiting . for subdivision would be small and the loss of sewer rates even less, it was contended. Where the Crown contemplated sub-division of blocks such as 100 acres, which the council considered no private sub-divider would contemplate there was greater reason for the council to give all assistance possible.

No contribution could be expected by the council from the department toward the cost of extending the present system to cope with- the Otangarei block. If this land had been privately sub-divided the council would not have expected a subsidy for work outside the limits of the block. To the council last night the legal and finance committee recommended that it should advise the department it would be prepared to undertake half of the amount of sewage cost but not sewer collections or storm-water drainage, in the new streets to be dedicated; that all drainage costs to which the council would be asked to contribute 50 per cenl> should be reported on by the engineer; that contributions should not exceed £14,735. The committee also recommended the council to prepare an application to the Board of Health for a requisition requiring the council to provide for certain general extensions of the borough sewer system, meeting contributions to sewerage reticulation, costs of new sub-divisions and provision for piping open drains. > The recommendations were adopted.