State Is Opposed To Ribbon Development In Lakeside Area

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

State Is Opposed To Ribbon Development In Lakeside Area

SEVERAL matters of importance to the Taupo county area will be discussed by the Taupo County Advisory Committee at its meeting next Monday. Mr A. H. O'Keefe, County Commissioner, will report that Ministry of Works offieials at Wellington toki him that official policy was opposed to ribbon development around the lake; there was more "free" money from the Roads Vote than was expected; suggest they support

the resumption by Maori owners of parts of Mangakino, to give private people tenure of sections. Last week Mr O'Keefe was in Wellington. and had conferences with the ITime Minister designate, Mr K. ,T. Holyoake, and departmental officers concerning a series of subjects with which Taupo county is concerned. NATIONAL POLICY He also saw Mr A. L. Gabites, townplanning consultant, regarding the number of proposed subdivisions which had arisen receutly iu soveral local ities around the lake; some l)y the Crown, some concerning Maori land, and others by private owners. All had the nature of ribbon development along the State highway r 01111 d Lake Taupo. Mr O'Keefe was told by a Ministry of Works official that as a matter of national policy, the department was opposed to all ribbon development, and instructions had beeia sent to the District Commissioner of Works to take an active interest in any signs of such development. "1 was told," Mr O'Keefe said to a Times representative, "that the Ministry of Works is keeping in tonch with

other State departments, so that they follow a similar policy. "In view of the recent publicity abouf development along the eastern lakefront, with possible eurtailment of public access to the lake, the situation lias become interesting." MANGAKINO LAND Ile. reported to the works sub-com-mittee that because more "free" money had become available from the Roads Vote, it would be possible for tlie county to do work on a number of its roads — Rotokawa, Ohaki, Rihia. Church's Road near Turangi. Regarding Mangakino, Mr O'Keefe reported that he lieard from Ministry of Works offieials and from a trustee for the Maori owners of land, that negotiations for the Maoris to resiime occupation of parts of the township, to give private people tenure of sections, had made very little . progress. Tho end was not in siglit, he told | the works sub-comimttee. As a conse1 quence, he intends to suggest to the i advisory committee next Monday that ; it should take an interest in the sub- ' .joct. because lf the future of Mangakino were not settled soon tlie people who wanted to build there would go elesewhere. Two banks and a service-station wished to build at Mangakino — there are 110 permanent bank buildings there. Mr O'Keefe said he had hoped negotiations would have concluded long since. "The prineiple of the Maoris' resumption of the^r properties is welcomed by the Govermnent, which has spent £1 million in sealing roads, sewerage and water-reticulation . . . and the Maori owners, it is Telt should pay sometliing towa-rd the cost."