Tamahere Reserve (Crawford's Quarry) proposed change of purpose
Notice is given pursuant to section 24 of the Reserves Act 1977 that Waikato District Council, as administering body of Crawford's Quarry (64A Tauwhare Road; colloquially known as Tamahere Reserve), is seeking to reclassify the piece of land from Local Purpose (Quarry) Reserve to Local Purpose (Ecological) reserve.
Schedule of Land:
Crawford’s Quarry (‘the reserve’) colloquially known as Tamahere Reserve is approximately 4.66 hectares in area located at 64A Tauwhare Road, Tamahere (Allotment 236, Parish of Tamahere and defined on Deposited Plan 24489; Record of Title SA640/171).
Background:
Although this particular section of the reserve was not believed to be quarried, surrounding areas to the reserve have been quarried. Today the reserve is a steep site containing pine trees with a significant Long Tailed Bat habitat and under-canopy native plants. Boardwalks, tracks and native plantings have been established by volunteers of the Tamahere-Mangaone Restoration Trust. This has been identified as a medium to high value ecological site.
Through engagement with the Tamahere Community Committee, Department of Conservation, Tamahere-Mangaone Restoration Trust and Ngāti Hauā, it is agreed that the current reserve classification is not reflective of the reserve primary purpose and a reclassification is necessary to reflect:
- the Primary purpose – significant ecological habitat;
- the Secondary purpose – passive recreation and education.
Reclassification Process:
Under the Reserves Act 1977, section 24A,
“(2b) every person claiming to be affected by the proposed change of purpose shall have a right of objection to the change, and may, at any time within 1 month after the date of the first publication of the notice of the proposal”
Therefore the reclassification process is as follows:
- Public notification of reclassification recommendation allowing a one month period for any affected person to submit an objection.
- Accepted submissions fitting the above criteria have the right to be heard at a public hearing by a hearings panel.
- The hearings panel provide a recommendation to the Infrastructure Committee
- The recommendation is presented to the Infrastructure Committee for a resolution to classify and name the reserve.
- If a classification change is required, the new classification is then formalised by Gazette notice.
Any person wishing to make a submission on this proposal can do so online, or in writing by sending it/ delivering it by 18 March 2024.
By email: Reserve.Planning@waidc.govt.nz
By Post: The Chief Executive
Waikato District Council
Private Bag 544
Ngaaruawaahia
3742
Attention: Reserve Planning Team
Or drop it off at any Waikato District Council office or library.