8 April 2014

Bot Gardens Plan and Town Belt Bill: have your say

Wellington City Council is seeking public feedback on two important projects relating to open space in the Capital. The projects are the final stages of the Town Belt Legislative Review (Wellington Town Belt Bill) and the Botanic Gardens of Wellington Draft Management Plan 2014.

The purpose of the Bill is to protect the Town Belt for future generations, to provide a management regime, and provide the ability for land that was previously part of the Town Belt to be brought back into the estate.

The Bill would help modernise the governance arrangements for the Town Belt under the Town Belt deed.

Councillor Iona Pannett, Chair of the Council’s Environment Committee, says the Bill would strengthen and protect the Town Belt – the sections of green space that ‘ring’ the central city.

“This Bill will protect this land for future generations and provides the ability for land that was previously part of the Town Belt to be brought back into the estate”.

The Botanic Gardens Draft Management Plan will provide a clear framework for the City Council to manage the Botanic Garden, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Bolton Street Memorial Park and Truby King Park over the next 10 years. The Plan proposes an increased emphasis on environmental education and conservation leadership.

Councillor Helene Ritchie, the Council’s Natural Environment Portfolio Leader, says the Management Plan is critical to providing clear direction for the management of the Botanic Gardens cluster.

“The plan includes an exciting new development of a world class hands-on children’s garden focusing on educating children about plants and the important part they play in our lives.”

Important proposals in the plan include the redevelopment of the Botanic Garden Treehouse as a major visitor centre providing changing exhibitions as well as a meeting and community space and the establishment of the Cockayne Centre to support education and research at Otari-Wilton’s Bush.

The public can have their say on the Town Belt Bill by:
• visiting the City Council website - Wellington.govt.nz/have-your-say - and completing a submission form
• sending their comments via email: townbelt@wcc.govt.nz,
• post FREEPOST, Wellington Town Belt, Parks and Gardens (REPL01), Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, Wellington 6140
• Fax: 04 801 3155.

Comments on the Wellington Town Belt Bill are due by 5pm Monday 19 May.

Have your say on the Botanic Gardens Draft Management Plan by:
• visiting the Council website - Wellington.govt.nz/have-your-say - and completing a submission form
• sending comments via email: botanicgardenplan@wcc.govt.nz
• post: FREEPOST, Botanic Gardens Plan, Parks and Gardens (REPL01), Wellington City Council, PO Box 2199, Wellington 6140
• Fax: 04 801 3155.

Comments on the Draft Management Plan are due by 5pm Tuesday 3 June. The public may also make an oral submission to councillors in support of their written submission.

ENDS

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