LAND TALKS FOR COUNCIL AND GOVT

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 54, 9 July 1974, Page 1

LAND TALKS FOR COUNCIL AND GOVT

Decisive talks on freeing Crown land for || residential subdivision in Taupo are to be held 1 this month. | JJJU Government representatives are to meet, the Taupo! Borough Council, possibly before the end of next week, to 1 j discuss land availability. |j This was announced yesterday by the M.P. for Taupo, Mr Jack Ridley, on behalf of the § j Minister of Housing, Mr Fraser. 5 )

Mr Ridley said the Minister had assured him that the subdivisional wqrk would begin as soon as possible. The project may become q joint venture between the Government, borough and industry. „ The Mayor, Mr C. S. Ciirrie, said he was "most pleased". the' Government was taking action about providing more land. Housing Corporation, Lands Department and Ministry of Works and Development representatives will be involved in the forthcoming talks. Mr Freer's action follows mounting pressure by local bodies and industry for the Government to release land. * Last week Mr Ridley took what he describes as a "last resort" move to get a Ministerial answer on the matter. He asked Mr Freer in the H ouse:

"Can y.ou advise whether the Government is vvilling to enter into arrangements for the development of Crown Land in Taupo on a joint ventujre b.asis with the boropeh eouncil, ihdusfry and the Housing Corporation."

Mr Fftiser said a Government survey of Crown land available in Taupo would 'bjgppcompleted in two weeks. Mr Ridley said: that subsequently the Minister had considered it important to send representatives to Taupo to discuss the course ., of action on which land would be subdivided first. "The easiest and most likely land will be subdivided first," said Mr Ridley. A deputation from the Taupo Chamber of Commerce met Mr Ridley in Taupo yesterday afternoon. The chamber has expressed growing concern in

recent weeks >ibout the E | shortage of land. | The chamber, following s its meeting last month, had E decided to send a deputa- E tion to Wellington to urge E the Government to make ~ more land available for = hpusing. E After talks with Mr Rid- E ley yesterday it was decided E the chamber would be E represented ai the Govern- z: ment/borough meeting. = It is understood that = Taupo master builders may s also attend. E The builders, too. have •= expressed concern recently E at the shortage — and high E price — of land. =