Reserve properties no longer required

TWENTY-THREE surplus reserve properties are in the process of being revoked by the Manawatu District Council as they no longer serve a useful purpose in the local community and have no conservation value.

The properties are largely located in the northern parts of the district, from Rewa across to Apiti and Kimbolton, and range in size from quarter-of-a-hectare (2500 square metres) to 10.8 hectares.

Property Officer, Peter Willoughby, said none of the properties had been used as reserves over the years and were mostly developed for grazing or cropping. Others were used as a holding paddock or for a pound.

“Most of the properties were originally intended as gravel reserves for the extraction or storage of metal,” he said, “while two others were designated as recreation reserves.”
Mr Willoughby said local iwi had been consulted regarding any significant value to them of the properties and the revocation process met Department of Conservation requirements.
“The proceeds of any reserve land sales will be set aside and used either for the acquisition of land as a reserve, to protect natural or historic heritage values or to improve public access to reserves,” he said.

Reserves or parts of reserves with significantly high or uncertain natural, historic or recreation value will be retained.
“The overall goal, outcome and balance of the council’s administered reserve land rationalisation are to increase the benefits to communities through an improved network of protected areas with better access opportunities,” said Mr Willoughby.
He said the council was one of the first in New Zealand to revoke more than one or two surplus reserves at the same time.

The revocation process is almost complete on 10 other properties that council deemed surplus a few years ago, while further plots are to be disposed of in the future.
A list of the latest properties to be revoked, detailing their respective locations, has been publicly notified and is available from council.

Anyone claiming to be affected by the proposed revocation has until Monday, June 15, to notify the Chief Executive Officer, Manawatu District Council, of their objection.