Taumarunui Wants Lake Shores

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 70, 7 September 1965, Page 7

Taumarunui Wants

Lake Shores

The Taumarunui County Council believes its boundaries should be extended around Lake Taupo.

At its meeting last week the actions of the Taupo County Council in its efforts to gain control of the western shores of Lake Taupo were deplored. It was decided to inform the Local Government Commission that the council "is of the opinion that the Taumarunui county — Taupo county boundary requires adjustments to allow the Taumarunui county to extend its boundaries around Lake Taupo." The council has in recent years been trying to develop the western lake shore area, the meeting was told. In 1963 it agreed to the raising of a loan of up to £100,000 for its development. The copncil is now making provision to employ an engineer solely to make a survey of the area. He will make recommendations on the needs of the district, with particular emphasis on access roading, including the Waihaha-Ong-arue route. Disappointment was expressed that the Taumarunui County Council Empowering Bill had been rejected by the Parliamentary subcommittee. Because of this the proposed rate relief plan for the western shores could not go into effect. Various alternative ways of granting rate relief to the area, where 50 acres of subdivided land last year produced £4165 in rates, were discussed by the rouncil at length.

Formation of a county town in the Omori — Kurutau area was considered feasible. The housing density of the area now qualifies it for declaration as a county town, the county clerk, Mr S. A. Hunter, said in reply to a question from Mr J. O. McKay. "The Bill provided the logical way around the situation, and allowed us to deal with the problem as a whole. However we can still go ahead by alternative means." said Mr Hunter. The Rating Amendment Act might help the county, said Mr c. Binzeggar. He also considered the council should consider reframing the local Bill and presenting it for a second consideration. "Taupo County Council has made it more than obvious that it wants to take over the western shores," said Mr B. H. Jones. Another Bill before Parliament would take a year to go through, Mr Hunter told the meeting. In the light of Taupo's claims, it must be council's concern that something should be done for that area immediately, he said. "The rejection of the Bill meant the writing is on the wall — do we rub it out, or don't we?" asked Mr I. Baker. "Taupo is playing every card it can get hold of to gain that area," said one councillor. "I am wonder-

ing how hard Roy Jack really pushed for us. I feel we may be up against very strong political influence." Council members who met the Local Bills Committee said it was clear in Welington that no matter Avhere Taumarunui went, Taupo had been there before and "sown the gpspel." "What we need is a political adviser," said Mr Baker. "Do we play at their game or don't we?" "Which do we need most — an engineer on the western shores, or a 'Billy Graham' to put our case in Wellington?" quipped Mr H. W. Gibbons. While in the words of one speaker, the Taumarunui County was prepared' to "fight to the bitter end" to retain the western shores, it must be remembered that the people of the area are the ones most vitally concerned, said Mr Jones. "This must not deteriorate into a battle between two councils."