Grazing rights for park up for lease
The chance to graze sheep on a wellknown public park is back on the table with the Waimate District Council.
The tender for the triennial lease for 37 hectares of Knottingley Park Reserve, which is 2km from the Waimate town centre, is limited solely for the purpose of grazing sheep.
The leasehold area does not include the cricket ground and an area on the corner of Horgans and Waihao Back roads.
The council’s asset group manager Dan Mitchell said a Waimate sheep farmer held the lease which is nearing its end and the council’s policy is to publicly advertise its availability again.
The leasehold document states the agreement could be terminated if the land is not being sufficiently used for its purpose or the use is seen as detrimental to reserve values.
Sheep are to be removed prior to and during the lambing season and the public ‘‘shall at all times have access on foot to all parts’’ of the land.
Other requirements involve keeping the land free from gorse, broom, noxious plants, rabbits and other vermin but not breaking up or cropping any part of the land, or cutting down any trees or bush without prior consent.
In recent years the park, which was gifted to the district by Michael and John Studholme in 1874, has also been used for a Zombie run, pony club events, crosscountry running events, cricket and a hunt undertaken by the Waimate Hunt Club.
The council is also considering a proposal for an 18-hole disc golf course that, if approved, would be on land covered by the leasehold.
Tenders for the lease close on July 22.