Enhancing our reserves and building more homes

Consultation has concluded

Decisions relating to this proposal have been made

On 25 August 2022 Council approved a Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee recommendation to dispose of some reserve sites in Rotorua and enable these to be used for housing, with any proceeds to be used for reserves network improvements.

The recommendation from the Committee followed consultation, hearings and deliberations. A number of changes were made to the original proposal following consultation.

SP&F Committee recommendation approved by Council:

Coulter Road Reserve (Part) to be retained and staff to work with community to identify opportunities to improve reserve.

Steeles Lane Reserve (Part) to be retained as likely unfeasible for development.

Wrigley Road Reserve (Part): Revoke status of part of the reserve and partner with Ko Te Tuara Totara O Fordlands Incorporated Society (KTTToF) to progress housing development (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress).

High Street Reserve (Part): Progress process for disposal and development of the reserve working with the kindergarten to explore options for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site that improves outcomes for the kindergarten and the function, quality and accessibility of the reserve, noting that any proceeds of sale will be required to improve the quality of the retained reserve area.

171 Clinkard Avenue: Direct sale to Kāinga Ora (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress). Noting that the proceeds of sale will be used to improve recreation provision on the reserve.

Turner Drive Reserve (Part): Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part (reduced to 50%) of the site and direct reinvestment into Turner Drive Reserve and Western Heights (noting requires Local Bill to progress)

Park Road Reserve (Part): Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part of the site (as proposed) and direct reinvestment into Park Road Reserve and Western Heights.

Linton Park West (Part) – 16 Kamahi Road: Site to have reserve status revoked but decision on disposal or development parked while further investigation and discussions are undertaken with the Linton Park Community Centre, mana whenua and the wider community.

Gallagher Street Reserve: Progress two stage process for disposal and development of the site with proceeds to be used to improve quality of other reserves in vicinity.

Lee Road Reserve to be retained

Council chief Executive to pursue a draft local bill that achieves the recommendations for each of the identified reserve sites.

First right of refusal and subsequent expressions of interest process to be adopted for disposal of sites with criteria to be confirmed in subsequent Council meeting.

Background

Assessment of the city’s reserves was part of implementing the Open Space Levels of Service Policy adopted by Council last year and identified reserves and parts of reserves that did not meet the objectives of the policy.

Council subsequently approved work be undertaken to assess whether these sites could potentially be viable for housing to contribute to solutions to Rotorua’s housing shortage.

A proposal was then developed, identifying 10 sites – 2 full reserves and 8 parts of reserves – that could potentially be sold and made available for housing. Revocation of reserve status is required to enable the sale of the sites and a Local Bill was recommended as the fastest way to achieve revocation.

In May this year Council approved taking the proposal out to public consultation.

This was followed by hearings before the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee which subsequently (11 August 2022) deliberated on the feedback received and made the above recommendation for the Council’s consideration this week.

The report relating to the recommendation considered by the Council on 25 august was included in the agenda for the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee meeting held 11 August 2022 (on to p35). View the presentation to the Committee on 11 August.

Consultation

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a submission in writing and to those who appeared in person to speak to their submission at hearings before the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee.

Community consultation was from 30 May to 14 July with a total of 639 submissions received on the original proposal (see the Statement of Proposal via link below).

The Strategy, Policy & finance Committee heard the submissions of 100 submitters during the course of two full days and two half days. Some of those who spoke to their own submissions also spoke on behalf of others who had asked to be heard but were unable to attend.

What happens now?

Council staff will now progress the work required to deliver the decisions made by the Council.

A draft Local Bill will need to be approved by Council before being submitted and would also require further community consultation.

Key information

Hard copies of the Statement of Proposal are available from Council’s customer centre on Haupapa Street and from Rotorua Library at Te Aka Mauri.

Decisions relating to this proposal have been made

On 25 August 2022 Council approved a Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee recommendation to dispose of some reserve sites in Rotorua and enable these to be used for housing, with any proceeds to be used for reserves network improvements.

The recommendation from the Committee followed consultation, hearings and deliberations. A number of changes were made to the original proposal following consultation.

SP&F Committee recommendation approved by Council:

Coulter Road Reserve (Part) to be retained and staff to work with community to identify opportunities to improve reserve.

Steeles Lane Reserve (Part) to be retained as likely unfeasible for development.

Wrigley Road Reserve (Part): Revoke status of part of the reserve and partner with Ko Te Tuara Totara O Fordlands Incorporated Society (KTTToF) to progress housing development (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress).

High Street Reserve (Part): Progress process for disposal and development of the reserve working with the kindergarten to explore options for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site that improves outcomes for the kindergarten and the function, quality and accessibility of the reserve, noting that any proceeds of sale will be required to improve the quality of the retained reserve area.

171 Clinkard Avenue: Direct sale to Kāinga Ora (noting this recommendation requires a Local Bill to progress). Noting that the proceeds of sale will be used to improve recreation provision on the reserve.

Turner Drive Reserve (Part): Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part (reduced to 50%) of the site and direct reinvestment into Turner Drive Reserve and Western Heights (noting requires Local Bill to progress)

Park Road Reserve (Part): Progress two stage process for disposal and development of part of the site (as proposed) and direct reinvestment into Park Road Reserve and Western Heights.

Linton Park West (Part) – 16 Kamahi Road: Site to have reserve status revoked but decision on disposal or development parked while further investigation and discussions are undertaken with the Linton Park Community Centre, mana whenua and the wider community.

Gallagher Street Reserve: Progress two stage process for disposal and development of the site with proceeds to be used to improve quality of other reserves in vicinity.

Lee Road Reserve to be retained

Council chief Executive to pursue a draft local bill that achieves the recommendations for each of the identified reserve sites.

First right of refusal and subsequent expressions of interest process to be adopted for disposal of sites with criteria to be confirmed in subsequent Council meeting.

Background

Assessment of the city’s reserves was part of implementing the Open Space Levels of Service Policy adopted by Council last year and identified reserves and parts of reserves that did not meet the objectives of the policy.

Council subsequently approved work be undertaken to assess whether these sites could potentially be viable for housing to contribute to solutions to Rotorua’s housing shortage.

A proposal was then developed, identifying 10 sites – 2 full reserves and 8 parts of reserves – that could potentially be sold and made available for housing. Revocation of reserve status is required to enable the sale of the sites and a Local Bill was recommended as the fastest way to achieve revocation.

In May this year Council approved taking the proposal out to public consultation.

This was followed by hearings before the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee which subsequently (11 August 2022) deliberated on the feedback received and made the above recommendation for the Council’s consideration this week.

The report relating to the recommendation considered by the Council on 25 august was included in the agenda for the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee meeting held 11 August 2022 (on to p35). View the presentation to the Committee on 11 August.

Consultation

Thank you to everyone who took the time to make a submission in writing and to those who appeared in person to speak to their submission at hearings before the Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee.

Community consultation was from 30 May to 14 July with a total of 639 submissions received on the original proposal (see the Statement of Proposal via link below).

The Strategy, Policy & finance Committee heard the submissions of 100 submitters during the course of two full days and two half days. Some of those who spoke to their own submissions also spoke on behalf of others who had asked to be heard but were unable to attend.

What happens now?

Council staff will now progress the work required to deliver the decisions made by the Council.

A draft Local Bill will need to be approved by Council before being submitted and would also require further community consultation.

Key information

Hard copies of the Statement of Proposal are available from Council’s customer centre on Haupapa Street and from Rotorua Library at Te Aka Mauri.