FUTURE HOUSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 9

FUTURE HOUSING

MINING TOWNSHIPS LARGE PLANNING SCHEME Steps toward the provision of suitable housing with adequate drainage, sewerage and water supply facilities in the small mining townships west of Huntly are being taken by the Raglan County Council. The first sub-regional planning survey of its kind in the Dominion has just been completed in the area by the staff of the chief surveyor of the Lands and Survey Department at the request of the council. The townships involved, Pukemiro. Glen Afton, Rotowaro and other smaller centres, are located from six to ten miles from Huntly, near the various coal mines which are operating in the district. There is no water supply or proper sewerage system for these scattered townships, in which the total population is 1673, housed in 465 dwellings. The present methods of sewage disposal are considered a potential menace to the health of residents with the growth of the communities. Steps to Solve Problem Limited steps were taken by the County Council some time ago to find a solution to the problem, but it was realised that a comprehensive planning scheme would have to be adopted. About 25 per cent of the coal output of the Dominion is obtained from the Huntly district and investigations show that there is sufficient workable. coal there to maintain the same, or a greater, output for another 50 years. It was therefore considered that the planning of the future housing, recreational, social and cultural requirements of the whole mining community in the area should be undertaken. Development of District Thejcomprehensive survey of the area of 36,700 acres includes information on existing housing conditions, rural production, water supply and other facilities, communications and industrial output, as well as topographical and similar details. It is anticipated that the filial planning scheme will be available to the Town Planning Board in the near future. Approval of a scheme by the board will vest in the local authority power to direct and control development in the district in accordance with that scheme. When the report on the survey was presented to the Raglan County Council by the Surveyor-General, Mr R. G. Dick, some of the members expressed the opinion that the ultimate solution would probably be found in the development of a central, well-equipped residential area from which modern transport would carry workers to the mines. j