Community gives feedback on Hannahs Bay

Rotorua residents only have a few days left to have their say about the future of Hannahs Bay.

During the past month Rotorua Lakes Council has been working alongside Ngāti Uenukukōpako and Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi and the Eastside Community Collective, speaking to the community about future aspirations for the area.

At the Hannahs Bay Fun Day earlier this month hundreds of people gathered to take part in the activities at the reserve and were able to meet with the project steering group and give their feedback.

The council said feedback received that day showed Hannahs Bay was a well-loved reserve and users especially liked the playground and dog walking areas.

However, feedback also suggested people thought the park was looking a bit tired and needed upgrading.

There was also strong support for enhancement and extension of the wetlands, particularly as they contributed to lake water quality.

People also wanted to see traditional names being used.

Feedback will be used to help create the draft Reserve Management Plan which sets out a framework for the future use and management of the reserve.

Suggestions or ideas may also be used to create an action plan for any changes or upgrades that could happen at the reserve however any changes would be decided at a later date once the plan was in place.

Once this round of consultation close on August 31, a draft management plan will be created and will go out for further community consultation later this year.

People can make submissions on the draft plan and attend hearings if they wish to speak to their submissions. Using the further feedback, a final management plan will be written which will be given to elected members to review and adopt.

It is expected the final plan will be adopted in early 2019.

To have your say go to www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/hannahsbay and complete the online survey or pick up a hard copy form from the Mokoia Community Association at 297 Vaughan Rd or come in to the main Rotorua Lakes Council building at 1061 Haupapa St and fill out a form.

Check out www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/hannahsbay for more information