Rotoaira baches plan

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 45, 28 April 1987, Page 6

Rotoaira baches plan

A development plan for 29 bach sites at Lake Rotoaira has been approved by the Taupo County Council. It is hoped the plan will lead to the tidying up of the area and allow for ordered development. The plan includes provisions for a communal sewage system. The council became concerned in 1970 at the growth in numbers of illegal structures in the area. There was a lack of clear tenancy

along with poor drainage and the possibility of polluting Lake Rotoaira and Lake Taupo at that time. The area now has several baches and converted trams and caravans sited before 1 970. The structures are on a 4-hectare block of Maori land and are mainly used by anglers who fish Lake Rotoaira. Council had issued an edict stating that no permits were to be issued and

threatened to prosecute the landowners for allowing the illegal use of the land along with the people who built and used the baches. After council officers engaged in discussions with individual bach owners it was decided that the development plan would include a 40-square metre section restriction and a 4-metre height restriction. Council has insisted on a communal sewerage system so a series of evapotranspiration beds are to be built. Three of the 29 bach owners wanted larger sites. Council has advised that if the sites were to be larger then it would have to consider the development as standard residential, with requirements for additional services. Planner Peter Crawford said council will need to look at provisions for establishing communal garages or lock-up facilities for boat storage. A common complaint from bach owners is that there has been no safe storage for boats. Some would like to build garages or carports on the sites but Mr Crawford said in the past such structures had been incorporated into the bach for accommodation. It is believed that owners will upgrade their baches as a matter of course to take advantage of the new plan. Mr Crawford said a planned programme of upgrading the structures was required but he suggested council should not enforce this.