Record building boom in county

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 52, 2 July 1974, Page 1

Record building boom in county

The Taupo County Council issued a record number of building permits last year — 488 permits with a total value of $2,641,754. This surpassed the building boom in the Turangi area in 1966/67, when 444 permits valued at $2,611,442 were issued. In his annual report, the county health and building inspector, Mr W. E. Watters, says the figures for the year ended March 31, 1974, are the highest in the county's nine-year history. In 1972/73, 401 permits worth $1,564,817 went out from the Taupo county. Dwellings accounted for much of last year's building activity. In all, 126 permits were issued for houses worth a total of $1,658,796. The previous year, 122 permitsi valued at $1,147,691 went out. "The increase of over $500,000 in dwelling values with only four more permits can be attributed about 40 per cent to a higher standard of dwellings being erected, and about 60 per cent to inflation," said Mr Watters. "But for the shortage of both tradesmen and materials in the Taupo area, activity would have been even greater." Additions to dwellings took care of 120 permits (90 the previous year) worth $263,942 ($131,175) and garages and sheds accounted for 149 (117) worth $100,936 ($57,904).

Fifty-one farm buildings earned permits last year, compared with 35 the previous year. The total value rose from $60,711 in 1972/73 to $63,735. Commercial buildings totalled five (7) worth $72,700 ($17,850); industrial buildings five (3) worth $357,615 ($114,633); and miscellaneous permits 28 (20) worth $123,230 ($33,453). "The increase in additions to dwellings, outbuildings and farm buildings is indicative of the comparatively buoyant conditions in the trade," said Mr Watters. Most of the industrial building took place at the Fletcher Company site on Centennial Drive. Commercial buildings included an office block at Lochinver Station ($15,000), an office extension at Fletchers ($8000), and motel and apartment buildings. Included in miscellane-

ous were reconstruction of the Kinloch marina ($15,000), retairyng walls, toilet blocks, oil fired heating units, boat sheds, a cool room and a pottery kiln. Building activity increased in all ridings but Pouakani. In Mangakino, particularly, the increased values were indicative of higher standards in the township, and this augured well for the future, Mr Watters said. A number of warnings had been issued to people who had started buildings in the county without permits and several stop work notices had gone out for deviations from permits. On the subject of staff housing, Mr Watters said: "The first of the seven year planned maintenance programme has gone according to plan. - "But extreme difficulty

has been experienced in obtaining the services of reputable tradesmen to carry out maintenance work. In many cases, it is just impossible to obtain competitive quotes." Action on sub-standard housing in the county had been carried out last year with a minimum of publicity to avoid arousing emotions, he said. Action had been taken at Mokai, Mangakino, Korohe, Tokaanu, Ti Toke Pa and Lake Rotongaio. "It has not always been necessary to require cleansing, closing or demolition requisitions. An educational approach at Ti Toke Pa encouraged the people living in the settlement to put their own houses in order, , and they are continuing to do so," said Mr Watters. "One difficulty in improving Maori housing has been the reluctance of the Maori Affairs Department to lend money for housing in 'uneconomic' areas."