River reserves rules recommended

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 503, 14 September 1993, Page 5

River reserves rules recommended

Ruapehu's townplanners have suggested a set of guidelines for the council in dealing with subdivision applications where esplanade reserves are an issue. The guidelines, which would be used until the council's District Plan is prepared, are to be presented to the council at their meeting on Friday. The guidelines would follow the requirements of the Resource Management Ammendment Act 1993 which allows for the council to consider options for esplanade reserves when a subdivision application is made. ▲ The council can take esplanade reserves, surveyed off and vested in the council, next to waterways which are within a subdivision area. ▲ The council can call

for an esplanade strip, which is the same size as an esplanade reserve (20 metres beside a water body) but o wnership remains with the landowner. Council would negotiate with individual subdividers on public access and land use. A Access strips are the third option, which would notnecessarily be triggered by a subdivision application (as in theprevious two). Access strips would be a negotiated agreement with landholders to allow pedestrian access along a waterway, and would be an easement over the land in favour of the council. A two-tier system would be enforced regarding the esplanade provisions. With subdivisions less than four hectares an esplanade reserve of 20 metres width on waterways

over three metres wide would be required. Land would be vested ih council with no compensation payable. Until the new District Plan is in force, the council has to get the approval of the Department of Conservation for a waiver to the reserve requirement. Above four hectares, reserves or strips are not required unless there is specific requirement in the District Plan. If a reserve is required the council must pay compensation. For

strips, the amount of compensation would depend on the limitations placed on the landholder. The council is required to keep a record of all reserves and strips available to the public. In her report to the council, district planner Jane Whyte said there was "reasonable consistency" regarding the waterways which were identified by the public as being important. They were the Whanganui River, Whaka-

papa River, Manganui aTe Ao River, Hautapu River. Others also important but possibly not needing the same protection were the Ongarue, Ohura and Mangawhero Rivers. With rivers of high conservation values, reserves may be the most appropriate, while for other rivers, strips may be appropriate, she said. Reserves would be recommended on all waterways over three metres wide in urban areas.