Reserve Management Plans

Introduction

Waitakere has more than 500 reserves spread throughout the city. These areas of open space are generally classified under the Reserves Act 1977.

The Reserves Act requires that every reserve has a management plan and the Council is currently undergoing a systematic programme of preparing these plans for all of its reserves.

Community Boards have been given the delegated authority to oversee the management plan process for local reserves and recommend to the Council that the plan is adopted.

Once a management plan is adopted, it is subject to continuous review to adapt to changing circumstances or increased knowledge about the reserve. The review process is outlined in the Reserves Act and requires a public notification and submission process.

A table showing which reserves have management plans can be accessed here.

The intention of a management plan

"To provide for and ensure the use, enjoyment, protection and preservation, as the case may require, and to the extent that the administering body's resources permit, the development as appropriate, of the reserve for the purposes for which it was classified".

The purpose of a reserve management plan

A reserve management plan provides a framework for carrying out future management in an integrated way.

In addition, there are often concept plans developed for the reserves, which identify particular elements of work, which can be prioritised over a number of years.

How can you be involved in the management plan process?

The preparation of a management plan involves consultation with the community. There are a number opportunities for the public to contribute to the development of a plan.

• During the preliminary submission phase, which is publicly advertised.
• At public workshops/meetings
• During the submission phase when the draft plan is notified.
• At the hearing of submissions by a Community Board or Council Committee.

See Have Your Say for any Plans that are currently open for submissions.

See Draft Policies and Plans for Plans that have recently closed for submissions and are in the process of being adopted.

The Reserves Act 1977

The general purpose of the Reserves Act is set out in section3 of the Act. Among other things, the Act deals with the powers and responsibilities of a local authority as the administering body of a reserve. 

See Local Government New Zealand for a copy of the Reserves Act.