PROTECTING A NATIONAL HERITAGE

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 290, 29 August 1957, Page 1

PROTECTING A NATIONAL HERITAGE

1T 18 eomforting to note from the report printed 011 this page that the Miuistry of Works is opposed to ribbon development of anv kind in any loeality bordering the shores of Lake Taupo. Oue of tlie greatest charms of the lake area is that it is relatively imspoiled, and anything which may detract from that should be firmly forbidden. Ribbon development is the inevitable handmaiden of urbanisation. Its ugly off spring are usually a erop of unsightly buildings, some of thcm barely within the prescribed minimum standards laid down by loeal authorities, and frequently unkempt surroundings. Oue has only to visit the cities and some of the larger towns, to see what may liappen. It does not liappen in all cases of proposed subdivisions, of eourse, but it is evident from the discussions which the , County Commissioner, Mr A. II. O'Keefe, had with Miuistry of Works offieials last week, that State departments are not at all happy that a number of proposed subdivisions along the State highway around Lake Taupo bear the hallniarks of ribbon development. Tlie County Commissioner carefully understated the ease when ho said to the Tirxjes tliis week: "in view of the reeent publicity about development along the eastern lakefront, with possible eurtailment of public aceess to the lake, the situation lias become interest- j ing. " It is far more than interesting ; | the very faet that there is an a wa reness among State offieials and members of the Taupo County Advisory Cpmmittee, will be welcomed by all those i who wish to retain as they are the natural beauty-spots of the i lake district. There are no finer tourist attractions in the Dominion. To permit their becoming spoilt by j the eareless hand of ma 11, would ! be a soiiree of everlasting regret. ?♦ A A A A jl .t. t .t *••««...