Reserve sale back in spotlight

Photo/File

Two contentious issues are back on the Wanganui District Council table today, and both of them come with demands that the council overturn earlier decisions.

They focus on the Montgomery Rd reserve and a number of plane trees in Taupo Quay, between Victoria Ave and Market Place.

The council had decided to sell part of the reserve at the corner of Great North Rd and Montgomery Rd back in April 2009, and reconfirmed this option in January last year.

It meant selling part of the land for residential subdivision but retaining more than 5400sq m as reserve.

Council officers argue that even with an area hived off for subdivision, a decent area of reserve would stay, preserving the view across part of the city to the Tasman Sea while retaining the "green avenue" running from Montgomery Rd down to Virginia Lake.

The reserve was one of a number singled out for sale as the council looked at ways of easing the burden of increasing debt.

In most cases the sales have been uncontested, but residents in two areas have prompted an about-face by the council.

Debate resumes over Quay plane trees

First, residents living in Parkdale Drive and Monowai Place in Aramoho petitioned - and eventually persuaded - the council to retain a small green space called Richmond Park.

Then came a 900-signature petition from residents in the Gonville area, miffed that part of Handley Park in Carlton Ave was going to have the "for sale" signs placed on it.

Again, the community rally was enough to sway the council to rescind its earlier vote to sell.

Now a similar petition has been forwarded to the council trying to save Montgomery reserve. This one has 425 signatures and is being championed by well known gardener, photographer and author Vonnie Cave.

Supporting her petition, Mrs Cave told councillors the preservation of natural features was "almost more important" than man-made structures.

"The natural land areas are, we hope, with us for all time and not treated as sales items to fix other issues."

She also suggests councillors' consciences will be "clear in years to come" if they opt to retain the reserve as it is.

Council officers still argue that subdividing the land will produce worthwhile financial benefits for the city while retaining most of the land for reserve purposes and retaining the view shaft.

The other issue involves the plan to remove a number of plane trees in Taupo Quay.

The fact that some of the half-dozen trees earmarked for removal are thought to be 130 years old has locals upset and sparked protests to preserve them.

The trees were due to be removed in November as part of a roading plan in the area. Clearing the trees would make way for an underground service trench, more car parks and an upgrade and change of style for two blocks of the Quay.

One major problem is that the electricity network supplier will not lay a trench along that stretch of Taupo Quay if the trees remain because they believe the root systems pose high risk to those underground assets.