An artist's impression of what the proposed University of Waikato facility might look like. Image / Supplied
An artist's impression of what the proposed University of Waikato facility might look like. Image / Supplied
The reserve status of a just under 7000sq m chunk of land in the middle of Marine Park is now in the hands of the Conservation Minister.
Tauranga City Council voted eight to two this morningto pursue revoking of the reserve status of part of the harbourside park at SulphurPoint.
The land represented about 7 per cent of the 112,000sq m area of Marine Park.
The council planned to give the University of Waikato a long-term lease on land so it can build a new marine research and education facility.
Public feedback on the proposal was 58 per cent against revoking the reserve status to make way for the university facility and 42 per cent in support.
"I am already in touch with the minister's office and I encourage others to do the same."
He was surprised at the council's decision given the level of public opposition, and said the revocation set an alarming precedent.
Alister Jones, the university's senior deputy vice-chancellor, said the decision was a step in the right direction but there were many more to go before the plan was assured.
"It's another step towards having a world-class research and education facility for the people of Tauranga and New Zealand."
University of Waikato senior deputy vice-chancellor Alister Jones. Photo / File
Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said it was heartening to see the council show "strong leadership with this decision".
"This is a great opportunity to improve environmental and educational outcomes for a growing region where the marine environment that is vital to the community."
The council voted to make public confidential legal advice they received on the decision, which recommended they not to mix the university's proposal with their stewardship of the reserve.
"This largely boils down to whether the part of the reserve is surplus to requirements or, at least, whether the revocation will not result in any appreciable loss of reserve amenity for the public."
Councillor Larry Baldock said the land was not surplus to requirements, but the low usage indicated it would not be sorely missed in the context of the council's network of parks.
The meeting heard the council had 1549 hectares of public open space over 349 sites and 18.5 hectares of coastal reserve.
"I can comfortably say that given the current use of reserve it will not result in an appreciable loss," Baldock said.
A concept plan showing roughly how the building would sit on the site. Image / Supplied
Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout said a smaller amount of space did not necessarily mean it would be less well used and there were examples of developments making spaces more popular, such as The Kollective and the Historic Village lawn.
Councillors Rick Curach and John Robson voted against revocation.
Curach said the loss of the green space would be appreciable especially as the city grew.
"The loss really is for the future for the potential use of the reserve space for what it's there for, public use.
"In 30 or 50 years time people will think 'who was that council who allowed that building in the middle of this precious reserve space'."
Robson said staff and councillors were looking at the sight in two dimensions, as square metres on a map. In 3D, the size of the loss was appreciable.
"To have a large green space unobstructed by anything is extraordinarily valuable."
How they voted
For: Mayor Greg Brownless, Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout, Bill Grainger, Against: John Robson, Rick Curach
