Mana revamp delay for talks

Dolly Varden Reserve’s planned revamp could be delayed beyond 2013 after the Paremata Residents’ Association expressed fears the community was not adequately consulted.

Porirua City Council voted last week to begin minor aspects of the Mana reserve’s upgrade, such as planting along Mana Esplanade and the reserve’s northern boundary, which needs to be done in winter so risks being delayed a year unless started now.

However, the council agreed to publicise the planned makeover and hold a public workshop before beginning upgrades on the reserve’s walkways, toilets and car park.

The Dolly Varden development is part of Paremata’s village plan, but despite being a community-council partnership, residents’ association chairman Russell Morrison told councillors the wider community needed more input into the plans.

‘‘If it’s going to be part of our village plan then pretty much by definition the whole community needs to be involved,’’ he told councillors last week. ‘‘It’s not clear how or when the community will be able to make some input.’’

Council officers presented at the association’s November annual general meeting but the meeting was not well attended enough to be an effective consultation, Mr Morrison said.

The council revamp is intended to improve visitors’ experience with walking, boating and harbour edge restoration. New toilets have been budgeted for the 2012-13 financial year, and could be combined with a permanent cafe.

A harbour edge walkway, public art, new tables and benches and a boat hire business are also proposed.

Mayor Nick Leggett said he was keen to see some income generated from the land, which was a strategic council purchase in 2007.