The first step in the review was the development of the Regional Parks Network Management Plan. The plan provides an overarching management framework for addressing issues common to all parks in a consistent and comprehensive way. The plan covers conserving environment and cultural heritage values in parks, sustaining community and recreational opportunities and use, and promoting partnerships with the community and tangata whenua.

The review of the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park Management Plan commenced in February 2006.

What's happening now?

The review opened with an initial round of community consultation where the public were invited to present their ideas and suggestions for the future management of the park. From there a draft management plan was prepared and presented to the Council's Landcare Committee on 30 November, 2006. 

Submissions for the draft Battle Hill Farm Forest Park Management Plan closed on 13 April, 2007. 17 submissions were received. A paper outlining the content of those submissions was presented to the Landcare Committee on 20 June, immediately followed by a hearing of the oral submissions.

The Parks Hearing Committee recommended on amendments and officers updated the management plan.

On 19 September, 2007, The Landcare Committee resolved to undertake a further round of consultations on the management plan. This consultation will take place once RES have provided further details on the Puketiro windfarm. We anticipate progress of this at some stage in 2008.

RES (Renewal Energy System) is the preferred developer for the Puketiro windfarm development. 

For more information on the review and some background on the park, download the newsletters (above right). For further information please email parks@gw.govt.nz