Hamilton City Council retains Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park as part of ecological project

A 5.13 hectare piece of land on Hamilton's outskirts is set to be added to the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park following a recent decision by Hamilton City Council.

The decision followed the Council's Finance Committee having considered a report on future options for the land, which borders the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. The land was originally designated for a ‘Smart Subdivision’ with an eco-housing focus, but has not been developed into a residential area.

The Committee voted 11 to two in favour of retaining the land and adding it to Waiwhakareke, a long-term ecological restoration project to the west of Hamilton.

Council Chief Executive Richard Briggs stated “(we will now) kick-start a Reserves Act process to classify the 5.13 hectares as reserve land.”

The Reserves Act process will take approximately three to four months, and includes an opportunity for the public to make submissions.

Mayor Julie Hardaker, Councillors Ewan Wilson, Gordon Chesterman, Martin Gallagher, Karina Green, Rob Pascoe, Angela O'Leary, Philip Yeung, Leo Tooman, Margaret Forsyth and Dave Macpherson voted in favour of the motion to retain the land and have it classified as reserve.

Councillors Garry Mallett and Andrew King voted against the motion.