Media Release

March 3, 2006

Waitakere City Council prepares new Reserves Management Plans

The Te Pai sports park in Henderson and the local reserves along the shoreline of the Waitemata Harbour are next in line to have management plans developed.

The Waitakere City Council is required to prepare management plans for its 550 parks and reserves under the Reserves Act 1977. The purpose of the plans is to ensure parks are developed and managed in the best way to provide for public enjoyment, the protection of the environment and cultural history and ensure their development and maintenance stays within budget.

This year, the Council’s Parks Planning Department is preparing the Te Pai Park Management Plan, and the Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan.

Te Pai Park is a popular city-wide park located on Lincoln road in Henderson. It has been recently upgraded and is the City’s principal skate park and a regional centre for netball and tennis, providing the home of Netball Waitakere and the Te Pai Tennis Club as well as a children's playground and public toilet. Issues likely to be covered in the Te Pai Park Reserve Management Plan are the allocation of space, car parking, lighting, safety and the upgrading and extension of existing facilities.

The Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan crosses three wards; Massey, Henderson and New Lynn and includes some 80 local esplanade reserves spanning the shoreline from Whenuapai to New Lynn.

The majority of these reserves are narrow, esplanade strips. Many are undeveloped and unmarked with no formal public access. The preparation of a collective plan for the reserves will allow for their integrated management of the shoreline, in particular weed control and ecological restoration, and development of walkways, seating and signage,.

Open days will be held during April where you can meet Council staff and discuss the plans. Details of the meetings will be advertised.

If you wish to make any comments or suggestions regarding any of the reserves in these plans, please submit in writing to:

Reserve Management Planner
City Services
Waitakere City Council
Private Bag 93-109
Henderson
Waitakere City

The period for initial plan submissions closes on April 21, 2006. Following this, draft plans will be prepared and will then be notified for a further round of submissions.

For a list of reserves included in the Waitemata Harbour Foreshore Reserves Management Plan or for more information about either plan, please ring Mandy McMullin at Waitakere City Council on 8368000, ext 8792 or email Mandy.McMullin@waitakere.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media