Three District Stages In Control Of Turangi

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 63, 12 August 1965, Page 8

Three District Stages In Control Of Turangi

Tliree distinct stages in the Turangi Township Act are described by the I)epartment of Internal Aifairs in itvs annual report to Parliament. The department says the arrangements made for the progressive development of local body administration in the town have no precedent in New Zealand. If succe^sful they u ould imdoubtedly set a pattern for the administration of any large eonstruction town that may in future be required in a locality offering attractions as the site of a permanent eommunity. "The new town is being built in the midst of an existing community and is designed as a permanent settlement which will eventually pass to full local control when it is no longer required to house workers on the power project. "The Act provides for three distinct stages in the development of the administration of the new town,

which, during the time the Act is in force, cannot be constituted as a borough, town district or county town. "During the first, from 1965 to 1968, the Crown will undertake and bear the cost of eonstruction of all buildings and dwellings required for its purpose, control the development of all sections to be made available to private individuals or organisations, and provide water supply and other services to a permanent standard. "During this stage, the Crown will be assisted mainly, but not completely, in an advisory capacity, by the liaison committee. .... "

From the beginning of the second stage, iu 1968, the Taupo County Council will ajssume responsibility for administering all local services, and, for this purpose, is empowered to levy a township general rate from April 1, 1968. The rate will apply within the town only and the town ratepayers will not be liable for the ordinary general rate levied by the council. From this stage, the Crown will pay grants in lieu of rates on its properties in the usual manner. The Act ceases to be effective in 1975 when it i^ expected that the power project will be complete and the eonstruction force will have moved out. The town will then be administered in full accordance with the Counties Act, 1956. The population of the new town is expected to reach a peak of 10,000 during the ' period of eonstruction and to level out at approximately 4000 afterwards.