SUBDIVISIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1932, Page 22

SUBDIVISIONS

POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES

INCREASED CONTROL

Greater control over the subdivisioa of land within boroughs is given to municipalities in the Municipal Corporations Bill, which was introduced into the House of .Representatives last evening by Governor-General's ' Message. Land is to be deemed to be. subdivided if the owner disposes" of any specified part less than the whole or advertises or offers any part for disposition. In all cases in which subdivision is proposed plans must be prepared by a registered surveyor and approved by the council before the subdivision is approved, provided that in any case where it is not proposed to subdivide into more than two parts the plans need not be prepared by a registered surveyor. ■•':

In cases of subdivision, the council ma 7 refuse to approve the plan if it is of opinion that' the land is not suitable for subdivision, require a new plan to be submitted, or, in the event of-the plan being approved, require the owner to make further provision for the construction of streets or the making of reserves. Persons aggrieved by the .decision of the council may appeal to a board consisting of a Magistrate and two other persons, oue of whom shall be nominated by the council and fhe other by the appellant.- The decisioa of the board is to be final. Persons who subdivide without the permission of the council or the board are liable on summary conviction to a fine of £100. In no case is any subdivision plan, to be deposited under the Land Transfer Act, 1915, or the Deeds Eegistration Act, 1908, or the tranfer of any. allotment or subdivision to be registered under those Acts unless the plaa has been duly approved either by the council or the board, or unless consent to the subdivision has been given in writing by the registered proprietor of every interest in the land.

All land shown in subdivision plani as reserves is to be vested in the couacill free from encumbrances. >