PLANNING SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26228, 12 August 1946, Page 4

PLANNING SCHEME

THE WANAKA DISTRICT TOURIST POSSIBILITIES GENERAL DEVELOPMENT (Special) QUEENSTOWN, Aug. 11. A decision to ask the Surveyorgeneral to prepare a town planning scheme for Wanaka was made by the Lake County Council following a conference with the Surveyor-general, Mr R. G. Dick, the chief surveyor for Otago, Mr H. A. Adams, and the manager of the Government Tourist and Publicity Department, Mr L. J. Schmitt, who have been visiting the district. The scheme envisages, among other things, the development of the district as a health artd holiday resort, and was stated by Mr Dick to have reached a stage of national importance. The chairman of the County Council, Mr D. H. Cockburn, presided at the conference and welcomed the Government officials. History of Scheme Mr Dick said he was very interested in the scheme. It had previously been approached from a local developmental point of view, but it had now assumed national importance, and his and other Government departments would natu-

rally play a prominent part in promoting it. In 1934 Mr J. •W. Mawson, then head of the Town Planning Department, had visited Wanaka and partially investigated the scheme, which was eventually allowed to drop. Mr Dick said he realised that it presented some difficult problems, involving the examination of low-lying lands. The prosecution of the scheme would entail the resumption of certain areas and the taking of others by the Crown, although that was a matter for later arrangement. Mr Dick said the Wanaka extraurban scheme was on somewhat the same lines as that of the Huntly-Puke-miro undertaking, only in the latter case it affected a much larger population. The Wanaka scheme need not commit the council to the expenditure of any money, nor was it committed to take any action until it was necessary to do so.

Scope of Investigation

In. his survey of the Wanaka district Mr Dick said their investigations had covered the present camping site at Glendhu Bay, the possibilities of skiing in Cardrona Valley, and skating on Diamond Lake, as well as fishing and other factors, which had a bearing on future plans. Tourist facilities had also to be studied, while problems to be confronted included water supply, sewerage, and the effect of hydro-elec-tric schemes. It was also necessary to consider potential population, temporary or otherwise. The Health Department would be called on to provide hospital facilities, and the Public Works Department would be consulted in regard to future works policy. Mr Dick sgld he would draw up a specification ' which would generally cover the following factors:—General map of extra-urban area; detailed maps of areas selected for residential development; spot levels for engineering purposes: land utilisation ((present lands within the area); communications; tenyres; valuation and rating; physical features; distribution of population (seasonal changes showing permanent residents, summer residents, tourists, campers and daily picnickers, in maximum and minimum periods); reticulation (water, irrigation, and sewerage); housing survey; employment pattern; potential water’supply. These factors would enable the council to proceed with the scheme and it would, in the meantime, have to set up a technical committee composed of an independent group. Mr Dick said he would give every assistance and advice. The committee would take into consideration all the relevant factors after conferring with local organisations and residents. Provision for Tourists Mr Schmitt envisaged what would be required in respect of tourist facilities. for which tne locality was admirably suited. He mentioned the necessity of a landing ground for aircraft, accommodation for tourists, provision for golf links and playing areas. He realised that Wanaka was a health resort, and this factor should weigh heavily in its development. His department would co-operate in every way.

Mr Adams said the scheme would entail a good deal of work and would take a long time to prepare. He was willing to co-operate as much as possible in putting it on foot. The chairman thanked the departmental officers for their services in investigating the possibilities of the scheme.

At a meeting of the council held subsequently the following motions were carried:—That a Technical Committee be set up comprising the following: Messrs R. G. Dick, Surveyor-general: H. A. Adams, chief surveyor for Otago. Messrs Bridgman, E. R. Hopwood and H. A. Vezey. That a letter be sent to the Surveyor-general asking him to prepare a town-planning scheme on the lines suggested by him.