VALUE DISCUSSED

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22661, 14 July 1945, Page 6

VALUE DISCUSSED

REGIONAL PLANNING SCOPE IN RAGLAN COUNTY It was apparent during a discussion at a meeting of the Raglan County Council yesterday that members did not all appreciate the value of regional planning. A keen discussion took place on some aspects when the council was asked by the Auckland Regional Planning Council for recommendations. Mr E. B. Baker said the Auckland council at its last meeting was urged to consider adequate drainage of lands in the Waikato River Basin. The river bed had been changing for very many years, and would continue to change, unless some major plan was devised to control the waters. This changing was largely due to soil erosion and deforestation. Erosion had lifted the plane of the river and remedial measures would have to be devised. Mr L. C. Logan wanted to know the duties of the planning council and its subsidiaries. The chairman, Mr H. Johnstone, said he did not know the full duties or powers, adding that the Public Works Department was concerned particularly with roads and bridges. Mr Logan said he understood the regional planning council had the full support of the Government departments. Essential Needs Mr W. J. Lusty said the Raglan county needed planning perhaps more than any other county in the Dominion. Roads and drainage were essential, and the projected western highway, from Tuakau to Te Mata, was of special importance. Mr Logan commented that the regional planning project seemed to have been set up to do the work of Government departments already in existence. Mr R. J. Glasgow said the controlling authority was the organisation of National Development, attached to the Prime Minister’s Department. Regional councils were to examine phases of national development, and had no rating powers. Mr H. W. Wilson confessed his doubts and added that there was a feeling that the whole thing would “fizzle out.” Mr P. H. Saxton, commenting on a remark by Mr Lusty, said there was too much planning in the Dominion already. The council set up a committee comprising Messrs H. Johnstone, R. J. Glasgow, E. B. Baker and W. J. Lusty to examine and report on regional planning within the Raglan County, particularly in regard to roading needs.