The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 1946 A TEN-YEAR PLAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 25, 16 September 1946, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 1946 A TEN-YEAR PLAN

DURING the war period, it became the fashion of local bodies to shelve all heavier financial obligations and improvement schemes until hostilities had ceased.-Whakatane was no exception. In the Borough, where during the ten year census period, another thousand was clapped on to the existing population, the amenities of a modern township were

conspicuous by their absence, and it gives us quite a twinge «* of conscience even now, to reflect that the municipal rubbish collection service is less than two years old. But what of the more pressing problems? We have a town, an attractive town to all appearances, which has outgrown its financial strength, and is ground down by an outdated rating basis which yields only a fraction of what the total revenue should be. A modern valuation would enable our Borough to grapple at once with such pressing needs as a complete sewerage system, an up-to-date water supply,' and the construction of a registered abattoir. When either of the former two propositions are raised for consideration at the Council table, the cost sends cold shudders down the spines of each City Father. The lowest estimate for a new water service runs into £20,000, whilst the sewerage reticulation and treatment is a figure which Councillors are afraid to hazard. The whole point of the matter lies in the fact that we are no longer a rural community content to live with makeshift amenities taking the place of what should be efficient and modern public services. The greatest problem is r of course, a financial one which hinges in its turn upon the revaluation of the whole, of Borough properties. At the same time, it is ostrich-like to imagine that we can go on growing as a township and put up with the outrageous facilities which have been serving all too long in the past. Sewerage claims first importance in the list of matters to be dealt with urgently in the consolidation of our town. Unless it is corrected within the next few years, we will become the laughing stock of the'more progressive centres, which disposed of the antiquated night service years ago. The matter must be tackled, and that soon, for it is common knowledge that sewerage and sludge water is s drained direct into the harbour side from all bordering business houses. This matter alone will force the health authorities to take action whether we like it or not. What is wrong with the setting out of a ten-year plan in which all the missing amenities which we are entitled to are at least introduced upon a progressively increasing scale. In this waya section of the sewerage scheme could be carried out each year as funds demanded. In this way also, the water supply problem could likewise be handled without the heavy burden of a twenty to thirty thousand pound loan. Numerous other Borough improvements could be included, and it would only need a thorough survey to list -all that was needed to make our town a well-served and attractive centre in which its citizens would be proud and fortunate to live. The Beautifying Society could likewise come into the picture and co-operate with Harbour Board, Chamber of Commerce, Rowing Club and all other organisations with an interest in the beautification and development of the harbour. With the progress of the Borough pegged year by year under a definite scheme of constructive development, all organisations would have a definite goal in view, and such a scheme could well replace the haphazard objectives held peacemeal by local bodies and sporting and social groups within the town at present. Nothing succeeds like success, and until we are prepared to face up to our obligations as a community, we will be compelled to put up with a sewerage system which is a positive disgrace, and a water supply which in flood season can be compared to peasoup. Tackled little by little, the bogey of finance and the scare shadow of a heavy loan in the offing making for increased taxation would be obviated. Ten-year schemes seem to be the fashion in these post-war days of expansion. Possibly, if fully explored, substantial Government subsidies may be forthcoming by way of State help in this respect, for it is well known that the P.W.D. is collecting the fullest data with respect to post-war undertakings within the next five years. Why shouldn’t Whakatane be in ?