'Strong argument' for basin control — MP

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 48, 18 June 1974, Page 3

'Strong argument' for basin control — MP

The Lake Taupo basin should have its own controlling authority, says Opposition MP, Mr V. Young. The basin had its own special conditions, interest and attractions — and had no strong ties with the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay. or the Waikato. "I feel a strong argument can be advanced for Taupo having self-control of the basin rather than its being administered on a regional basis as proposed in the Local Government Bill," he said. Mr Young, the Opposition spokesman for the environment, visited Taupo recently. He wanted to see firs^hand if the low lake level was having any detrimental effect on the area. After his morning-long

inspection Mr Young said: "The foreshore does not look too bad. Though I think the level will stay pretty much the same for tive months. "I think the problems will begin next summer — if there is no snow." Mr Young said he would urge the Minister of Internal Affairs to instruct the wildlife division to take a close look at trout spawning. "We must make sure that the fluctuating lake level has no harmful effect on trout habits," he said. Mr Young also believes the Crown should reconsider its policy on the provision of reserves, not only in Taupo but throughout New Zealand. He believes a system similar to that of thej National Trust in Britain

should be established. Under the scheme, the land, though remaining privately owned, was made available to the public. Some was farmed and some was designated reserve. The Crown, in effect, took a covenant on the property. "This way,- landowners are not forced into a rating situation in which they have no alternative but to offer the land for commercial development," he said. "I am also sure that the landowners would be willing to provide reserves long before the Crown had the riioney to buy the land. "The main thing is to devise a way to make rating proportionate to productivity rather than subdivisional potential."