12 August 2015

Regional Parks Improvements Proposed

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Environment and Services Committee today agreed to recommend improvement plans and funding for regional parks.

HBRC’s Long Term Plan includes $160,000 a year for improvements to current open spaces and to develop a new one. Staff have submitted a more detailed programme of works for this financial year.

The Regional Park network includes Tūtira, Waitangi, Pākōwhai and Pekapeka Regional Parks, Te Karamu stream bank enhancement, river access and cycle trails. Individual Park Plans for Pekapeka, Pākōwhai, and Waitangi Regional Parks guide the management, maintenance and development of each regional park. The plans reflect each park’s unique attributes and needs while taking a consistent approach across the network.

Councillors recommended that the proposal for the major enhancement of Waitangi Regional Park at Awatoto be approved so that staff can move to obtain detailed construction plans and costings.

HBRC want to promote more respectful use of the area and reflect this historic site’s importance as the landing place for both Māori and European settlers.

Vehicle access to the beach will be moved north to improve safety for motorists on the highway. Cyclists will also access a realigned cycle path via a new cycle bridge to be built beside the bridge over the Tutaekuri River channel. The NZ Transport Agency has committed to excavate a significant area for wetland habitat enhancement and will use the fill to construct the cycleway.

Toilets are planned for both Pekapeka and Pākōwhai parks as these are high use areas with no nearby facilities. The toilets will be low-cost and easy maintenance similar to the composting toilets installed at Tūtira and DOC reserves.

At Pekapeka, the CanTeen organisation has identified an area for their members to visit and remember loved ones. HBRC staff will install a table and bench seat, and CanTeen members will help construct a pathway to this area.

The Whakatu Arterial route will change the configuration of the entrance to Pākōwhai Regional Park, so new signage will be installed in conjunction with Hastings District Council.
A plan for Tūtira Regional Park has yet to be completed, but meanwhile new gateway signs and improved boundary fencing is will be installed in the coming year.

A new ‘Hawea Regional Park’ is proposed as a public open space opposite Pākōwhai Regional Park where the Karamū and Raupare Streams meet. The concept for this proposed park has been developed with hapū to resolve long standing issues over past treatment of this area as a dumping ground, and it will also enable flood control work needed for the Karamu.

These recommendations will be considered by the full Regional Council meeting on 26 August 2015.

ends