Council applies to revoke land status

CHB Mayor Alex Walker

Central Hawke's Bay district council will apply to the Department of Conservation to revoke the reserve status of six parcels of rural-zoned land that it wants to sell.

The council adopted the resolution at its meeting last Thursday. But after public opposition, council says it will keep Loten Park in Waipawa as a reserve for now to ensure future access to green spaces in CHB.

Council amended an original resolution after it received three submissions opposing revocation of the reserve status of Loten Park during public consultation.

Mayor Alex Walker told councillors there was need to take a long-term, future-focused view, rather than a short sighted approach to Loten Park.

"Through the Thrive workshops, our community told us about the importance of green spaces - Loten Park has the ability to enhance this offering," she said.

Councillor David Tennent seconded the resolution to retain Loten Park as a reserve.
"We need to protect the long-term options available to this community via Loten Park," he said.

However council has requested a report into the future use of Loten Park and if it meets long-term community outcomes.

Combined, the six parcels of land that council wants to sell - which include former holding paddocks and metal pits - have a combined land area of more than 8ha, but a combined registered value of only $274,200.

A council spokeswoman said if DOC agrees to revoke the status of the land, it will manage the sale of the properties on the open market. Any profit made from the sales would end up in council's Capital Projects Reserve Fund, she said.

Reserve land to be disposed of: Cnr SH50 and Makaroro Road (Beattie's Corner), 0.8094ha, Hatuma Road (Hatuma Paddock), 2.1499ha, Rotohiwi Road, Flemington (Bray's Quarry) 1.3405ha, Maharakeke Road (Hunter's Pit - part A) 0.6070ha, Maharakeke Road (Hunter's Pit - part B) 0.8371ha, Maharakeke Road (Streamside paddock) 2.4281ha.