Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

As our section sizes get smaller and people live in more intensive-type housing, our public network of parks and reserves becomes increasingly important.

We are very fortunate here in the western Bay of Plenty that we have long stretches of beaches and coastal margins that double as recreational reserves. But there are many sorts of other reserves across the sub-region which serve a variety of purposes, and they are held under a range of ownership. Because of this, it is very hard to get an integrated picture of what is available across the whole of the western bay.

There are recreation reserves (both passive and active), historic reserves and scenic reserves. Some are local, some are regional, some are even national. We even have a marine reserve at Tuhua (Mayor Island). Some are held by central government – for example, sports-grounds in Ministry of Education ownership and Department of Conservation reserves – like the Kaimai Mamaku National Park. There are reserves owned by Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council owns the Papamoa Hills Regional Park. Some reserve land is Maori owned like Mauao, and land in private ownership is also made available for public access and recreation. Some public land serves a double purpose – being both for access and recreation, while doubling as an area for storm-water ponding.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is reviewing its Regional Parks policy and it seems stupid to me that we do this without considering the big picture of what is available, for what purpose and where. This is a good example of why we need integrated planning, and why spatial planning is such a good idea. It forces you to think of the big picture and consider how to spread investment to meet the needs of the population. Unfortunately, this is harder than you might think, because of the number of players. Our network of reserves is a case in point.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please contact me on [email protected] or ring me on 07 579-5150. Or you can check out my website at www.janenees.co.nz