Draft reserves plan approved

COMMUNITY groups in Waihola will be better able to enhance the lakeside town after a reserves management plan was approved on Thursday.

Clutha District Council’s service delivery committee voted to approve the 20page draft document considering the future of Waihola’s parks and reserves at its meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Bruce ward councillor and Waihola resident Bruce Vollweiler said he was pleased with the scope of the plan, which would allow the town to prepare for an anticipated increase in visitors once the Clutha Gold cycle trail extension is completed.

Reserves covered by the plan included the Lake Waihola Destination Park, which includes Waihola Campground and Domain; the Greenwich Reserve; and the Waihola Cemetery.

Opportunities identified for visitor enhancements included new drinking fountains and barbecues; improvements to the domain’s playing surface for the benefit of Waihola Cricket Club; improvements to the town’s footpath network both connecting and beyond the reserves; and future development of the currentlyuntended Greenwich Reserve.

Mr Vollweiler said as Waihola is located on State Highway 1, its reserves were not only for locals.

‘‘We’d like facilities to attract passing traffic, so they stop and enjoy other aspects of the town. Our cricket club has become active once again recently, and it would be nice to see some home games on the ground. Alongside those present day interests, we have to look to the future, with the arrival of the cycle trail in Waihola anticipated before very long.’’

While the council would be involved in some aspects of the projects, the plan enabled community groups to ‘‘carry out projects without extensive and time consuming additional consultation.’’

The plan would be formally adopted during a full council meeting on November 1.