Reserve Management Plans
The Reserves Act 1977 requires the council to prepare reserve management plans for nearly all parks classified as 'reserves' under council control.
Reserve management plans outline the Council's general intentions for the use, development, maintenance, protection and preservation of its reserves through a series of objectives and policies.
Each management plan seeks to balance the protection of natural resources with the provision of appropriate recreational opportunities for the local and wider community. Management plans can be prepared for either individual reserves or for a group of similar reserves.
The Reserves Act 1977
The Reserves Act has three main functions. These are:
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To provide for the preservation and management for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand with some special feature or value.
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To ensure as far as practicable, the preservation of representative natural ecosystems or landscapes and the indigenous species of flora and fauna.
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To ensure, as far as practicable, the preservation of access for the public to coastline, islands, lakeshore and riverbanks and to ensure the protection and preservation of the natural character of these areas.
Definition and Purpose of a Management Plan
The Act requires (s.41(3)) that a management plan ‘provide for and ensure’ the following:
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the principles set out in ss.17 to 23 that apply to a reserve of the relevant classification
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compliance with those principles
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use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, and preservation of the reserve(s) as the case may require.
The Management Plan Preparation Process
The process of preparing a management plan provides the public with opportunities to take part in the decision making which will affect the future of the reserves. The management plan process is outlined below. The plan, once adopted, can be amended so that it may be adapted to changing circumstances, or in accordance with increased knowledge.
Documents
The following documents are available for download. You will need to install the Adobe Reader program on your computer in order to read it. If you do not already have the Adobe Reader installed you can download it free from the Adobe website.
