Infrastructure and Environment Committee preview
Reserve revocation to be considered
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee will be asked for approval to start the process to revoke the reserve classification of a council-owned reserve on Tarewa Road.
The Pururu South Recreation Reserve no longer has any value to the Council’s open space network, a report to the Committee notes. It had an old unused playground that was removed in 2021 following public consultation.
The reserve holds cultural significance for Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara and a heads of agreement with Council obligates the council to facilitate the return of lands.
The 0.0437-hectare (ha) parcel of land at 35 Tarewa Road was vested in the Council in 1964 as a donation from Mr Pat Ruhi, who at the time offered this property along with part of the Pururu North Reserve, both of which were accepted.
The land was gifted to the Council at the time with the specific intention of providing a recreational space for the community.
Council’s Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Te Paiaka Lands Trust and Te Runanga O Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara recognises the importance of a number of significant cultural sites to Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara, including the Pururu North Reserve, Pururu South Reserve and the Karamu Takina Springs among others.
Reserve status for the Pururu North Reserve was revoked in 2020.
Initiating the process to revoke the reserve status for Pururu South Reserve would reinforce the Council’s strategic priority of supporting genuine partnerships with iwi and mana whenua, the report to the committee notes.
Go to p46 of the meeting agenda to read the full report on this matter.
Also on the agenda
Regional council presentation: Representatives from Toi Moana – Bay of Plenty Regional Council will speak to the Committee about their council’s 2023/24 Annual Plan priorities.
Operational updates: The Committee will receive updates from the Infrastructure and Environment group. Go to p15 of the meeting agenda to view the report from this group.
Civil defence update: The Committee will receive an overview of the role and responsibilities of local government in respect of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. Go to p26 of the meeting agenda to view the report on this.
View the full meeting agenda at this link on Council’s website: public-agenda-infrastructure-and-environment-committee-meeting-4-october-2023.pdf (rotorualakescouncil.nz)
Next Wednesday’s meeting starts at 9.30am in the Council Chamber and is open to the public to attend.
The meeting will also be livestreamed and can be watched live or later via Council’s YouTube channel: Rotorua Lakes Council - YouTube