TOWN PLANNING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1926, Page 1

TOWN PLANNING BILL

REPLY TO CRITICISM. WELLINGTON, Aug. 9. “Objection has been made to the Town Planning Bill because the measure intakes it compulsory for boroughs or town districts with a population of over 1000. to prepare a town planning scheme on or before January 1, 1939. It- must lie realised that there is already quite a lor of provision in the' Statute Book enabling town planning to be carried out, notwithstanding which no 'action has been taken. It, therefore, became evident That if any progress was to be made it was necessary- to introduce a measure of compulsion. That is what the proposed legislation provides ” With these remarks, the Minister of Internal Affairs, tho Hon R. F. Bollard, prefaced sonic comment to-cllay on criticism made on the Town Planning Bill now before Parliament.

“There is certainly-,” said the Minister, “a lot of misconception of the objects and principles of tbe Bill. Some of the local authorities that have dealt adversely with the, measure must hive overlooked tbe fact that at the last Municipal Conference a remit was passed urging that town planning legis.ation ho introduced providing that all urban authorities should he required to prepare 'and submit a town planning scheme for their appropriate areas by a date to be decided upon, but the Biil does not go quite as far as the conference recommended, since the preparation of a town planning scheme is compulsory only- in cases where the population exceeds 1000. Provision lias, however, been made under which other boroughs or town districts with less population than 1009 may bo required to prepare a scheme. It is, I think, generally recognised that town plan ning properly carried out will not cause undue and unnecessary expense.. On the other hand, ft will result in working to a given plan, which, will undoubtedly mean not only economy but. benefit to all concerned.” ERECTION OF NEW BUILDINGS. Mr Bollard referred to statements made that the operation of a town planning scheme might prejudicially effect the erection of buildings. It is hard to see how a scheme would have such an effect except possibly in certain directions,” he said. “Provision has been made under which a local authorityl can fix areas to be used exclusively or principally for specified purposes. In order to safeguard persons, provision is made that any po - son injuriously affected by the action of a local authority under this pi or isioq, may appeal to the Town Planning Board, whose determination will be fuiaI BETTERMENT PROVISIONS EXPLAINED.

“It is clear,” said the Minister, “that these betterment provisions are hciim misunderstood, in that it is apparently believed they would form the basis for future rating. That is not necessarily the ease, as tho valuation for betterment provisions has nothing to do with tho valuation for rating purposes the two being entirely 0 distinct. The betterment principle is not new, as those controlling municipal government are aware. - It has to he realised that hand in hand with the betterment principle are provisions relative to compensation. If a person s property is injuriously affected he will be entitled to compensation, and on the other hand if he receives benefit from a scheme it would appear onlyfair that he should pay a portion of the ascertained increase.” PERSONNEL OF BOARD.

A hoard of this nature, said Mr Bollard, must be comprised primarily, of experts. Provision had, however, been included for representation of local bodies. through representatives of the Municipal and Counties Associations, The board, in other words, would act in the nature of a town planning court, and would hoar and consider all objections to a town planning scheme before giving effect to it. COUNTIES SLIGHTLY AFFECTED. In many, cases lands adjoining a. borough may at any time become part of that borough, and it would obviously be umvise to provide for a scheme which did not take in or which would not he adaptable to surrounding lands. Tt might also lie necessary from time to time to require a county council to prepare a plan of that part of the county in which settlement was rapidly taking place. Those were the only compulsory provisions in the measure as far as a county council was concerned.

Mr Bollard said lie wished to point out that if the Bill became law, every assistance would he afforded local authorities ill the way of advice in connection with the preparation of a scheme. '