Special authority

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 100, 30 December 1970, Page 8

Special authority

The present control, and planning for the acquisition of the remaining land, is in the hands of the Taupo Basin Co-ordinating Committee which has representatives of central and local government and Maori and European owners. Recently 1311 aeres were added to the scheme and the Lands and Survey Department, which has extensive development holdings on the Taupo area, will add a further 9200 acres. Included in the reoent acquisition were- - ®Ninetecn acres bought from ihe Maori owners on the eastern shore, between the main road and the lake, iust north of the Waitahanui River bridge, with a good, sandy beach and several cleared areas for picnics. •More than 1000 acres of Maori-owned swamp land between the State highway and the Tongariro River near Tokaanu, exchanged for vacant Crown land to the east of the lake. Part may be developed for recreation — possibly a golf c^urse or marina — while some may be declared a wildlife refuge for waterbirds. •Two hundred and fifteen acres of Maori-owned land on the lake shore, near the mouth of thc Waiotaka and Waimarino Rivers, giving access to Stump Bay. The Taupo County Council has put a road through to the lake and publie facilities will soon be provided. UNDEVELOPED The 38,000-acre reserves scheme, prompted initially by the Taupo and Taumarunui County Councils, will take in most of the undeveloped parts of the lakeshore and strips up thc major rivers and streams. It aims at providing for public enjoyment while preserving scenery, wildlife habitats, vegetation and historic sites. Other considerations in the scheme are the conser-

vation of freshwater fisheries and the prevention of soil erosion, water pollution and indiscriminate urban subdivision. "The scheme does not fit into the concept of a national park, which is usually a large area little changed by man," says Mr Lucas. There would be many separate areas. PRESERVATION "We are looking on it as a national recreation area, similar to those in the United States. But there are strong elements of conservation and preservation in the scheme as well." Since the proposal was put forward in 1966, the co-ordin-ating committee has been working to: ^Get control of the land defined in the scheme, after extensive surveys. •Set up a co-ordinated structure to develop the land. "The first aim is well on the way and is going nicely, espeeially during the past few months," Mr Lucas says. "If the urban development along the eastern shore is to be stopped, this is the time to move. We aren't too late. DEVELOPMENT Most of the land still to be acauired is Maori-owned. Ac3uisition, in many cases, will epend on the r ate of development of Crown farmland for exchange for Maori land for the reserves. "The whole success of the scheme, in fact, depends in a great part of the continued co-operation of the Maori owners," Mr Lucas says. "It has been outstanding so far. "There has been no suggestion of compulsion, nor vill there be. The Government eannot turn the financial taps wide open, but the key areas naust be aequired first. "But the whole lot will beincorporated into the scheme as funds become available, or as suitable Crown land is ready for exchange." Virtually all the area will eventually be given some form of public reserve status and

the public will have access to almost all of it. A major exception will be a proposed new forest, largely on Maori land, at the back of the Hatepe area. But even there, parts will be designated as forest reserves, to allow public access. "I can see the eastern side as still catering for the mass of people — though, perhaps, the main highway traffic might be taken a way from the lake on a new road, leaving the present road solely for sightseers and recreation. The western side would have its access roads, but it would cater more for those who prefer a bit more seclusion and privacy. "The really important thing," Mr Lucas says, "is that we start detailed planning now so the public can get the best possible use of a lovely lake."

Night-time browsers in Taupo this holiday season could be attracted to a display in the banking chamber of the BNZ in Tongariro Street. A three channel colour organ is illuminatirig two banking murals, designed by Grant Tilly. The tape recorded music, pop during the day and Eastern by night is fed through a filter system, which separates the tones into three frequencies each of which controls a set of different coloured lights The lights fluctuate in brilliance in time with the music lighting the murals in striking fashion. The unit was first used in the BNZ s stand at the Wellington Trades Fair in August and this is the first time it has been on display at one of the bank's branches It was one of the first colour organ complexes designed by audio visual expert Rcx Gilfillan.