Totara Reserve Regional Park %SBGU"TTFU.BOBHFNFOU1MBO +VOF
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Totara Reserve Regional Park %SBGU"TTFU.BOBHFNFOU1MBO +VOF Author Bill Martyn Manager – Biosecurity & Habitat Protection Front Cover Photos Totara Reserve Regional Park Photo: (David Lupton) July 2012 ISBN No 978-0-927189-53-8 Report No: 2012/EXT/1247 CONTACT 24hr Freephone 0508 800 800 [email protected] www.horizons.govt.nz Kairanga Cnr Rongotea & Kairanga-Bunnythorpe Rds Palmerston North Levin Palmerston North 11 Bruce Road Marton 11-15 Victoria Avenue SERVICE REGIONAL Cnr Hammond & Hair Sts DEPOTS CENTRES HOUSES Taihape Wanganui Torere Road Taumarunui 181 Guyton Street Ohotu 34 Maata Street Woodville Cnr Vogel (SH2) & Tay Sts POSTAL Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442 | 06 9522 929 ADDRESS F FOREWORD On 19 January 2012 stewardship of Totara Reserve was vested with Horizons Regional Council. The reserve has recently become the Manawatu’s first regional park and the Council has responsibility for managing it. These changes require the existing asset management plan (Totara Reserve Management Plan 2009) to be reviewed and updated. The reviewed Asset Management Plan is an important document. Its overall purpose is to provide for the use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection and appropriate development of the reserve within available reserve resources. This provides the community with certainty about the future direction of Totara Reserve and enables Horizons Regional Council to manage it effectively. The reviewed Asset Management Plan has adjusted policy to reflect the vesting of the reserve in Horizons Regional Council and the Council’s management of the reserve. To recognise changes, the Council proposes renaming the reserve Totara Reserve Regional Park. At the same time, it proposes to unite the land parcels that make up the park as one reserve. One of the main issues that continue to be addressed in the draft Asset Management Plan is using the reserve for recreational activities and at the same time protecting and enhancing the significant natural resources on the reserve. A key to achieving a balance once the policies have been finalised is the implementation of the development which builds on the recreational use of the reserve as well as its unique natural qualities. This draft Asset Management Plan is now open for public comment as required under the Reserves Act 1977. The Council is welcoming feedback from the community on the policies, the development plan and the proposal to rename and unite the parts that make up the reserve. Written comments may be made about any aspect of the draft plan along with suggestions and reasons for requested changes. A request to be heard at the Council public hearing to support written comments may also be made. Submission forms are available on the Council’s website and at Council offices. Michael McCartney CHIEF EXECUTIVE Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park i Asset Management Plan ii Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park Asset Management Plan CONTENTS 1. Introduction................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Process 2 1.3 Asset Management Plan Review 2 1.4 Reserves Act 1977 2 1.5 Reserve Classification 2 1.6 Treaty of Waitangi 3 1.7 Other Legislation 4 1.8 Links with Plans and Strategies 4 1.9 Horizon Regional Council 4 1.10 Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment 6 1.11 Mana Whenua 6 1.12 Reserve Description 7 2. Vision and Objectives ............................................................................. 11 2.1 Vision 11 2.2 Objectives 11 3. Reserve Resources ................................................................................. 12 3.1 Natural Resources 12 3.2 Recreational Resources/Use 18 3.3 Facilities, Structures, Tracks and Trails 21 4. Management............................................................................................. 23 4.1 Administration 23 4.2 Maintenance 28 4.3 Visitor Health and Safety 28 4.4 Promotion/Education 31 5. Stakeholders ............................................................................................ 33 5.1 Statutory and Non Statutory Interest Groups and Communities 33 6. Development ............................................................................................ 35 6.1 Introduction 35 6.2 Aims 35 6.3 Totara Reserve Development Plan 36 6.4 Implementing the Development/Improvement Plan 37 6.5 Design Criteria for Totara Reserve 37 7. Glossary ................................................................................................... 40 8. Bibliography............................................................................................. 42 9. Appendices .............................................................................................. 43 Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park iii Asset Management Plan iv Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park Asset Management Plan 1. Introduction 1.1 Background The Totara Reserve Regional Park Asset Management Plan (asset management plan) provides for the management of Totara Reserve. For the purposes of the asset management plan, Totara Scenic Reserve, Pohangina Domain Recreation Reserve and the former gravel pit are considered as one reserve and referred to in the plan as Totara Reserve (refer to Figure 1 Location Map below). Figure 1 Location Map Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park 1 Asset Management Plan Introduction 1.2 Process The Totara Reserve Asset Management Plan (asset management plan) has been prepared in accordance with Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977. It establishes a vision for Totara Reserve and provides a policy framework for the protection, recreational use, management and development of the reserve. The intention to prepare the first asset management plan for Totara Reserve was publicly advertised in 1998 by Manawatu District Council and finalised in 2009. At that time, both Manawatu District Council and Horizons Regional Council had management responsibilities for the reserve. However, because of the reserve’s regional significance, a decision was made to vest the reserve in Horizons Regional Council (the Council). On 19 January 2012, Totara Reserve was vested in Horizons Regional Council which now has sole stewardship of the reserve. This now requires a review and update of the asset management plan. 1.3 Asset Management Plan Review Once updated and approved, the revised asset management plan will be fully reviewed at ten yearly intervals. Alterations and additions may be made from time to time to reflect changing circumstances with respect to reserve management and development. Any proposed alterations or additions involving a comprehensive review of the asset management plan will be publicly notified in accordance with Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977. 1.4 Reserves Act 1977 Bulls Feilding The Reserves Act specifies management requirements for the Council’s reserves. The purpose of the Act is: To make further provision for their acquisition, control, management, maintenance, preservation (including the protection of the natural environment) development, and use, and to make provision for public access to the coastline and the countryside. 1.5 Reserve Classification Woodville Palmersto A key requirement of the Reserves Act 1977 is the classification of reserves and the preparation of asset management plans that are consistent with the purposes for which the reserves have been classified. The asset management plan provides for and ensures that the objectives and policies in the plan are in line with the classifications. The lands covered by the asset management plan are classified Scenic Reserve under Section 19(1)(a. The one section of the reserve which is classified as (Landscape Protection and Plantation) under Section 23 is controlled and managed by Manawatu District Council. Refer Appendix 1 for Reserve Land Title Plans, Appendix 2 for a Schedule of Property Details and Appendix 3 for Gazette notices. 2 Draft Totara Reserve Regional Park Asset Management Plan Introduction Reserves classified Scenic under Section 19(1)(a) are managed primarily to protect and preserve: In perpetuity for their intrinsic worth and for the benefit, enjoyment, and use of the public suitable areas possessing such qualities of scenic interest, beauty, or natural features or landscape that their protection and preservation are desirable in the public interest. Reserves classified Local Purpose under Section 23 are managed primarily to provide areas for: Such local purposes as are specified in any classification of the reserve where scenic, historic, archaeological, biological or natural features are present on the reserve, those features shall be managed and protected to the extent compatible with the primary purpose of the reserve. The Reserves Act 1977 also provides the basis under which the Council must manage its reserves for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. Sections 55, 56 and 61 of the Act set out the administrative powers of the Council in respect to scenic and local purpose reserves. Appendix 2C of the Reserves Act Guide sets out further powers under delegation, once the asset management plan is approved by the Minister of Conservation. These include giving consent for the cutting or destruction of exotic trees and bush on Scenic Reserves. The vision statement, objectives and policies in this asset management plan are consistent with the purposes for which the reserves are classified. 1.6 Treaty of Waitangi The asset management plan aims to interpret and administer the Reserves