TEN-YEAR PLAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 19, 21 April 1947, Page 3

TEN-YEAR PLAN

ADVICE FROM MINISTER ENQUIRY FROM TAURANGA “ Advice that he anticipated anInouncing the balance of 10-year plans and schedules of works of regions in the Dominion within the next few weeks, thus completing the coverage for the whole Dominion, was received from the Minister of Works (the Hon. R. Semple) at the monthly meeting of the Tauranga Borough Council. These announcements, stated the Minister, should enable the general lines of Government and local body development as envisaged in these works proposals to be stated, as the first general step towards a more detailed examination and review which he was anxious all major works should be subjected to before the work was finally defined and | actually authorised. “I have previously stated to you,” added the Minister, “that the Government regional planning as an integral part of national development, and as means to and basis for sound physical, planning of urban and rural-areas. Further, Regional Councils established on a proper working basis could be of great assistance, not only in dealing with the planning of regional works, but also in the associated problems of availability of manpower and materials.”

' Now that the declaration by the Government of its own and local bodies development works was almost completed, the effective functioning of the Regional Councils was a matter of urgency to ensure the next stage in regional and national planning. The development problems arising from the schedules of works varied in type and urgency from region to region. Accordingly, there appeared to be no rigid pattern of procedure which could be laid down and be applicable to all regions.’

“I am, therefore, of the opinion,” stated the Minister, “that the next step should be for Regional Councils to consider the main development problems arising from the schedules of works in consultation with the District Engineei’s as the Commissioner of Works’ representative in each district. To this end I am arranging with the Commissioner of Works that District Engineers should call conferences of representatives of Regional Councils at an early date, with a view to discussing with them the immediate tasks to be undertaken. The commissioner would make arrangements for Ministry of Works officers to attend such conferences, to discuss the Government’s proposals and to assist Regional Councils to formulate procedure in connection with the development plans for their respective regions. “From these conferences,” concluded the Minister, “certain questions may arise \»hich may be more adequately dealt with at a national conference. Should this be so I shall be happy to arrange for such a conference as and when circumstances permit.”

On the motion of the Mayor (Mr L. R. Wilkinson) the council decided to reply thanking the Minister for his letter, and assuring him that the Regional Planning Council would be called together immediately on receipt of the plans submitted.