Draft reserve management plan for Tōtara Reserve open for submissions

Horizons Regional Council is asking the community for feedback on their draft reserve management plan for Tōtara Reserve Regional Park.
 

Tōtara Reserve has always had a management plan which provides direction on how the reserve would be managed. It has been ten years since the current plan was written in 2014, so it is now time for a review of the long term aspirations of the reserve. The Reserves Act 1977 requires Horizons to have a reserve management plan.
 
Tōtara Reserve Advisory Board Chair Fiona Gordon says “we would like to thank everyone who provided feedback to our initial engagement survey in July/August. This has helped us to shape the draft plan we are now presenting to the community. We are asking the community, whether they are campers or day visitors, to let us know what they think about the plan, whether they agree with the policies and the proposed activities which sets the development of Tōtara Reserve for the next 10 years.” says Cr Gordon.
 
“One of the main issues that needs to be addressed in the revised plan is the impact of frequent flooding in the campgrounds, most recently experienced during Cyclone Gabrielle. The draft plan supports the continuation of camping activity in the reserve, however it also offers a range of options that are being considered to around how Council might manage the ongoing flood risk and damage to assets at Tōtara Reserve into the future.” says Cr Gordon.
 
Submissions on the draft plan can be made from Thursday 5 December 2024 through to 5pm on Friday 7 February 2025. Further information and the online survey is available at www.haveyoursay.horizons.govt.nz.