Council asks for pointers on reserve management plan

The community is encouraged to have their say on the future management of Ngaruawahia’s The Point Reserve.

Waikato District Council is intending to review the Reserve Management Plan for the reserve and the community’s opinions form an important part of this process.

Initial views of the community are used to form a draft plan which will be made available for public submissions later this year.

The Point is one of the district’s significant reserves due to the high value of its landscape and historical features.

The setting enables the area’s outstanding natural beauty to be appreciated and the reserve provides easy access to the Waikato and Waipa Rivers.

It is an important historic site, being of significance to tangata whenua and the original site of the Ngaruawahia township.

The band rotunda, gun turret, cenotaph and wharf remnants on the Waipa River bank are reminders of history that can be enjoyed.

Other facilities at The Point Reserve include a playground, barbecue, basketball hoop and half-court, two jetties, skate park, petanque court and toilets/changing room.

The reserve is also a common venue for events held throughout the year.

Letters have been sent out to stakeholders asking for suggestions about the reserve’s future use, management and development.

The community can also provide feedback: online at www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/sayit; by emailing consult@waidc.govt.nz; posting suggestions to Private Bag 544, Ngaruawahia, 3720 or delivering them to any Waikato District Council office or library.

The deadline for receipt of suggestions is 7 July 2017.

A copy of the current The Point Reserve Management Plan and a feedback form can be found at www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/pointreserve