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A new plan for regional parks

17 November 2009

A new plan for regional parks

Greater Wellington is developing a “one stop plan” for the management of its regional parks, and is asking for comments from the public to help it write a draft plan.

At present, Greater Wellington has separate management plans for each of its parks and forests. These are kept current by being reviewed individually, on a “staggered” basis.

“Council recently considered whether preparing individual park plans was the best way of planning for the future of the network. We came to the decision that one consolidated management plan, incorporating all individual park and forest plans, would be a simpler and more efficient management tool,” says Cr Chris Laidlaw, Chair of the Regional Sustainability Committee.

“It’s certainly the right time to make a change – the Regional Parks Network Management Plan, which sets out the general policies found in individual park management plans – has been in place for over five years and is due for review. In addition, we recently developed a Parks Network Strategy, which provides the vision and goals for our parks and forests.”

The new plan will reflect and incorporate the Parks Network Strategy, land ownership changes brought about by Treaty settlements, the new Parks Bylaw and the reserving of Waitangirua Farm. It will have general principles covering the management of East Harbour Regional Park, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Belmont Regional Park, Kaitoke Regional Park, the Pakuratahi and Akatarawa forests, and the Wainuiomata Recreation Area. Sections for each of the parks and forests will include policies and concept plans to reflect their distinctive features and values.

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“It’s important that the new plan reflects the community’s aspirations for our regional park network,” says Cr Laidlaw. “We’re seeing increasingly high visitor numbers, and the recreational and environmental opportunities that parks offer – in our urbanised society – are invaluable. I hope that as many individuals and groups as possible have their say – it’s a great opportunity to make sure we have a parks network that is valued and enjoyed by as wide a cross-section of the community as possible.”

Comments will be accepted up until 5pm, Friday 18 December 2009. To make comments, and for further information, go to Greater Wellington’s website – www.gw.govt.nz/parks. The draft plan will be released for public consultation in April 2010.


ENDS

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