Reserve Management Plans Engagement Update August 6th 2024

On 31st July 2024, the Council directed council officers to develop a draft Reserve Management Plan for the Esplanade Reserve. Councillors considered if they should provide largely passive recreation and enjoyment or mixed uses of the reserve. Council considered that mixed use was appropriate which does not rule out future commercial use, subject to relevant legislation.

Council staff were also directed to develop a draft Reserve Management Plan for the South Bay Forest Reserve, noting that decisions on the future of the existing pines will not be considered as part of the draft.

The next step in this process is to commence the development of consultation drafts of the Reserve Management Plans for the Esplanade Reserve and South Bay Forest Reserve, in accordance with the Reserves Act 1997. Once these draft plans are prepared, they will be approved by the Council in order for the public consultation period to start. The draft plans would then be made available to the public and interested parties for a period of not less than 2 months, for formal submission. This submission period is anticipated to be from late September/early November 2024.

KDC will be hosting drop-in sessions over this time. Once the consultation period has closed, the Council will hold hearings and deliberations before any final decisions are made.

Further information will be provided on KDC’s website at the relevant stages, but the Council welcomes any questions or queries in the meantime. The process for the remaining reserves will also be determined over the coming weeks.