Plans for a model town

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 23

Plans for a model town

The overall chosen site is still a scene of rural tranquillity, with sheep placidly grazing on the gently rolling slopes. Although the sheep will be banished eventually from the 20ha site, the planners aim to blend the village with the surrounding terrain to retain the rural atmosphere.

Initiated by the Waipara County Council in conjunction with residents of the district, the project is now in the hands of the Hurunui County Council, which was formed by the amalgamation of the Waipara and Ashley counties.

On gently rolling land at about the 180 m to 210 m level, the village site has a warm sunny aspect with views to the north and the west of downlands, foothills, and mountains. A ridge curving round the site cuts off the worst of the southerly and easterly winds according to local residents.

The new township will fill several functions in the district, As well as creating residential sections, the planning provides for commercial and light industrial development.

The town will become a useful service centre for the surrounding Scargill, Motunau, and Stonyhurst districts with. a population of about 800 people. Applications have been made already for a site for a general store, and art and craft shop, a stock and station agency store, and a garage and service station. Firm applications have been lodged for several residential sections, but no allocations have been made. To better cater for community activities in the future the council has set aside an area for “civic purposes” and provision has been made for a children’s adventure playground. Parking has been taken into account in the tavern site and other parking has been provided for the rest of the commercial and civic areas.

Designed to serve the people living and working in a rapidly developing farming area, the town is expected to be attractive to those wishing to work in a rural area.

Agriculture contractors are among those who have applied for sections either for themselves or for staff housing.

Some farmers are considering providing staff housing in the village instead of on their farms, so that their workers and families may have the benefits of urban social activities, while generally preserving the other benefits of their rural way of life.

It has been suggested that the village may be an attractive place of retirement for farmers in the area, either releasing a house on their farms without having to move to towns further away as has happened in the past. Other persons from larger urban areas would find a hospitable welcome the district, which features a wide variety of group activities. Those from the city may look at the village as an excellent setting for a holiday home. Rugby in the area is catered" for by the Glenmark Club, which has its headquarters at Omihi. A local scout group has its own den and many children’s activities revolve around the school. The district abounds with picnic spots. Good fishing and boating are available in some Of the rivers and at Motunau Beach, which provides safe sea bathing also. To hasten and encourage the beautification of the area the council will give the buyer of each section a quantity of shrubs to plant on his section.

While the council would like building to proceed as soon as possible after the allocation of sections, the sections in this first stage of the development are being sold without any building deadlines. The detailed planning has been done by the council’s consultant engineers (Messrs H. G. Royds, Sutherland and McLeay), with the landscaping concepts done by Messrs Boffa, Jackman and Associates.

Greta Valley is a village planned as a total concept by the Waipara County Council at the request of the residents of the Scarg-

ill-Motunau district and designed to serve people who live and work in the surrounding area and those wishing to retire or take holidays there.

The village is situated in the midst of a large area of rapidly developing farmland, capable of greatly expanded production.

According to the planners, young people settling there would be assured of ample opportunity to participate in this future development.

Older and retired folk settling there would be welcomed into an hospitable district of cultural, Sporting and craft groups; they would find opportunity for expansion of almost any field of interest.

Initial village planning provides for residential sections in larger and smaller lots, light industrial sites, the new tavern, motel and camping ground. Already established area a primary school, bus services to nearby Hawarden or Cheviot secondary schools, an interdenominational church and a country library service. The sporting facilities available include tennis, bowls, cricket, golf and an active scout group. Planned as an integral part of the village are such additional amenities as a service station, workshop, yard, commercial shops, service yard, combined use community car park, light industrial (reyail timber, stock

agencies), community centre, children’s adventure playground, service yard, motels, and residential areas (small lots on sites of prime aspect and view, large lots on flatter areas).

The residential lots vary in price from $4500 to $5500 and details of - the prices of allotments are available at the Waipara County Office. The siting of the buildings will be controlled so as to conform to an overall pattern of landscaping for the benefit of all the inhabitants.

Greta Valley is being designed as a village with all the conveniences of modern technology — and none of the clutter. If more than one offer is made on an individual lot, the council reserves the right to de decide on allocation. Provision has been made, by the acquisition of sufficient land, for a further development, should be there be sufficient demand.

Although planned by the Waipara County Council as a self-sufficient entity, the village will benefit greatly from existing cultural, social and sporting groups long established in the region. Greta Valley is planned as an aesthetically attractive residential and commercial area, with 26 residential sections on the side of a gentle north-fac-ing slope, with commanding views towards the foothills and peaks of the Southern Alps.