Himatangi Beach plan discussed

BEACH access, the provision of car parking around the community centre and management and maintenance were leading subjects in the Himatangi Beach Draft Development Plan discussed at a community workshop in the town on Saturday.


Local residents, holiday home owners and Palmerston North Surf Lifesaving Club representatives were among those who attended the workshop, as well as Manawatu District Mayor, Ian McKelvie, and Himatangi liaison councillor John Salmon.


The development plan focuses on the reserve area between the surf club and Himatangi Beach Motor Camp, and along the Kaikokopu Stream, and follows the approval of the Coastal Reserves Management Plan in 2007.


Emma Corbett, of Parks and Open Spaces Ltd, said objectives for the workshop were to gain community input on the draft plan and to establish community interest in coastal planting and stream care groups.


Options for sheltering picnic and grassed areas, and the surf club, were also discussed, along with the location and types of projected plantings. One participant raised the idea of a swimming pool.


Anyone interested in providing input to the draft plan or participating in a coast care or stream care group is asked to contact Ms Corbett on (04) 383-8382/email emma@paos.co.nz or Parks and Reserves Manager, Albert James, at the Manawatu District Council on (06) 323-0000/email albert@mdc.govt.nz


Feedback on the draft plan is required by Friday, April 4.