Reconsider Alignment Of Onerahi Road

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1949, Page 9

Reconsider Alignment Of Onerahi Road

ALTHOUGH the Whangarei Borough Council had agreed over two years ago on the realignment of the Onerahi Road near the borough boundary, it is to reopen the question to give one ratepayer an opportunity to state his objections to the council s proposals and bring forward counter-proposals.. This decision was made at a special meeting of the council last night on the motion of Cr J. F. Johnson, supported by Cr W. L. McKinnon, rescinding a resolution passed in March, 1947, adopting the report of the borough engineer (Mr I. A. Cromie) fixing the radii of curves for the realignment of the Onerahi Road.

The matter was first raised some months ago when Mr T. Busck waited on the council seeking an alteration in the plans so that the Whangarei Harbour Board’s lease he occupied would not be affected to the extent called for in the council’s proposals. At that time, no action was taken by the council, but a subsequent letter from the board led Cr Johnson to give notice of motion to reopen the question. The council is now to consider Mr Busck’s proposals after these have been reported upon by the borough engineer.

easy curves from the Bluff to the boundary, almost a straight line, but Mr Busck’s proposals showed a reverse curve.

“Although Mr Busck has stated that he had no knowledge of the council’s intentions when he leased the property from the Harbour Board, this is not so,” said Cr James.

Another point was that the council’s proposals were noted on the building permits issued to Mr Busck and. the first permit was issued in 1945, yet it was not until 1948 that Mr Busck approached the council, regarding > road alignment. Mr Busck had a lease in the first instance Of one acre from the Harbour Board, and this area had never been defined, but,, even with the council taking part of the present area for the road, Mr Busck wotild still have an acre in his original lease and a further half acre in a subsequent lease. QUESTION REOPENED “Here we have a ratepayer who feels he has a grievance and I am of th® opinion that the council should give full consideration to Mr Bunch's proposals,” said Cr H. S. P. Rishworth. who then intimated that he would support the motion. ' “It may be that the council, after consideration, will adhere to its pwn plans but consideration should be given to Mr Busck’s proposals.” . “Hours have been jspent on debating, this question, and now we 'are asked to alter our decision,” was Cr F. Kyles’ contribution to the discussion.

In moving his motion Cr Johnson stated that Mr Busck believed he was suffering under a hardship and the council should give everybody so situated an opportunity to state his case. SUPPORTED BY BOARD Mr Busck stafted business three year s ago on land leased from the harbour board, and his rapidly-expanding business required more and more land, especially for the storing and curing of a concrete product. Mr Johnson continued by saying that he thought a compromise between the Borough Council and Mr Busck might overcome the difficulty. The Harbour Board, as owners of the land, had signified its approval of the council’s plan for the realignment of the road, but now the board vas supporting Mr Busck in his application. His reason for bringing forward the motion, said Cr Johnson, was to give Mr Busck an opportunity to state his case and alternative proposals. “The council owes it to every citizen that it should hear his case,” said Cr W. L. McKinnon in seconding., “Although the Harbour Board had approved of the council s proposals, that board has now requested the council to reconsider the position.” As the work had been held up for a number of years, Cr C. J. Homer said that he could not see any difficulty in holding up for a further period to give Mr Busck an opportunity for stating his case. Previously he had been in favour of the council going ahead with the scheme, but now he would support the motion. REVERSE CURVE “Mr Busck asks that other people should lose more land, but not him,” said Cr H. W. James, opposing the motion.

“But if it would not hold up, the project too long, thfen I have no objections to Mr Busck putting forward, his proposals, '‘although Mr Busck had knowledge of the position before he went ahead with his building plans.’* He had no objections to Mr Busck advancing his proposals, the "Mayo* (Mr W. Jones) said, but it must be understood that, even though a coun- . cillor might support the motion he would not be bound in. any way, td support another alignment of the road. On being put to the meeting the motion to rescind was carried, C? James recording his vote against. QUESTION .OF ETHICS

Then followed a lengthy discussion in an effort to evolve a resolution that would meet with the approval of the majority of' councillors. Cr Johnson proposed that Mr Busck be given until 5 p.m. on July 25 in which to put forward his proposals, to be supported, by reliable engineering data, and that the borough engineer make available to Mr Busck’s engineer the required information. ; The borough engineer,.pointed ou| : that this time would hardly be sufficient for Mr Busck’s engineer (Mr K. P. Tapper) to prepare plans and estimates, while it was not ethical for a. local body engineer to make availableto a private engineer plans from "th®' council's records,^ ""-A

He then continued by saying that the question of the realignment of Onerahi Road had been before the council for a number of years and the council had reached a decision.

Now they were being asked to reconsider the whole question. So that Mr Busck would not lose land he had asked that the council cut back into Mr A. T. Carmichael’s property almost to his house.

Mr Carmichael had been moat cooperative in .h'is dealings with, the council, but, if more, land were taken, this attitude might change. The council’s proposals called for

In - this Re was Eupporteff'liy; the Mayor, who said: “It is not for tha council to release road plans to an outside engineer. T ': OTHERS MAY ATTEND "

“As an act of. courtesy our engineel? could show Mr JBusck’s engineer tha centre road pegs of the council's proposed road alignment “These pegs are already in tha ground, and can be seen by anyone.” Mr Cromie suggested that Mr Busck’s engineer be given time to prepare the alternative plans and that he (Mr Cromie) would then prepare a report with an estimate of costs for the council. :: A

He would be pleased to shoW Mr’ Tapper the council’s proposed roadline. *

Finally, a resolution was carried asking Mr Busck to submit his proposals,' supported, by engineering plans, as early as possible but not later than the end of the month...

The borough engineer would then prepare a report, with estimates of cost, and this would be submitted to a. special meeting of the council to be called by the Mayor when the engineer had his reports available. ) . Not only will Mr BusCk be invited; to this special meeting, but all property owners affected will be given an opportunity to attend.