Reserve Management Plan

Buller District Council has released the results of a survey gathering community input on the future management of council-administered parks and recreational reserves.

The purpose of the survey was to gather public feedback on the usage, future development, maintenance and protection of the recreational reserves in the Buller District. Eighty-seven submissions were received, 82 came through Let’s talk Buller, and five were received in hard copy.

Survey participants could select which reserve/s they wanted to submit feedback on. The Carters Beach Domain Reserve received 12 responses, the most significant share of responses for a single reserve (13.8%).

Group Manager Community Services Krissy Trigg says: “The survey was part of a broader early engagement process aimed at gathering insights on the future management of public recreational reserves across the Buller District, before consultation on the Draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) in the middle of this year.”

The early engagement was comprised of two main components: a public-facing survey, and and engagement with reserve and hall subcommittees. Council staff also engaged with community members, stakeholders like schools, and interest groups over five weeks, to allow sufficient time for the community to contribute their insights.

Key insights gathered from the survey were:

• Importance for the community: Survey participants believe that the reserves are significant because they provide a space for play, support environmental values, and serve as the heart of the community. They also offer essential areas for sports and events, fostering recreational opportunities and social connection.
• Usage ideas: Respondents suggested Buller’s recreational reserves could be used more effectively by enhancing their infrastructure, improving landscaping and planting, and providing better amenities. Additionally, scheduled maintenance would ensure the spaces remain safe and well-maintained. Utilising the reserves more for additional events could further strengthen community engagement.
• Upgrades and improvements: A key point raised was that council could improve its reserves by ensuring regular scheduled maintenance, enhancing infrastructure, and implementing better weed control. Additionally, improvements in landscaping, planting, and upgraded amenities would enhance the reserves’ usability and appeal.
• Community events and activities: Survey participants would like to see a variety of activities in the reserves, with the most popular being sporting activities, specifically swimming and running, highlighting a strong interest in recreation and fitness. Quiet enjoyment of open space is also a priority, reflecting a desire for relaxation and nature appreciation. Additionally, community gardening was highly rated, showcasing an interest in environmental and social engagement.
• Environmental enhancements: Participants propose the reserves' long-term environmental value can be improved by planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers, which was the most-supported initiative. Enhancing wildlife habitat and creating green spaces with diverse vegetation were also highly valued, reflecting a strong interest in biodiversity conservation.
• Access and amenities: Participants believe that access to the reserves can be enhanced through better infrastructure and footpaths, ensuring ease of movement for all visitors. Disability-friendly facilities were also highlighted as a priority, promoting inclusivity and accessibility. The most cited access enhancements were parking facilities, disability-friendly facilities, signage, footpaths, and better infrastructure. Participants identified benches and seating areas as the most essential amenity when visiting the reserves, emphasising the respondents’ preference for comfort and relaxation.

Key insights gathered from the workshops were:

• Across multiple reserves, environmental sustainability and infrastructure maintenance are recurring priorities. The responses highlight the ongoing challenge of ensuring that these environmental efforts are supported by adequate infrastructure, which often requires funding and collaboration with local councils. Volunteer engagement and financial sustainability present significant challenges for many reserves. Upgrades to facilities and increasing community involvement are central to the growth and success of the reserves.

Ms Trigg highlights: “The insights we gathered have provided staff with valuable understanding around key aspects of the future management of council’s reserves. These were important reference points for preparing the draft RMP that incorporates the community's values and aspirations and establishes a strong foundation for the sustainable strategic future management of Buller's green spaces.”

Council staff prepared a draft RMP considering the feedback and each reserve’s purpose, legal requirements, budget and feasibility constraints. The content of the draft RMP was presented to council at a workshop this week. Council will consult on the draft RMP in May and June 2025.

A detailed analysis of the feedback is available on council’s community engagement hub, Let’s talk Buller. The key insights were included in the presentation to council.

Buller District Council has launched a survey to gather community input on the future management of council-administered parks and recreational reserves.

Recreational reserves are areas of land set aside specifically for public enjoyment and leisure activities. These reserves can include parks, sports fields, beaches, and picnic spots where people can engage in activities like walking, playing sports, and relaxing in nature.

Council administers 28 recreational reserves within the Buller District. Four out of the 28 reserves are local purpose campgrounds which are managed by council. Six of the 28 reserves have a hall located on them, forming part of the reserve.

Group Manager Community Services Krissy Trigg says: “The community’s feedback will help council staff to create a draft Reserve Management Plan (RMP) that balances community enjoyment, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. It also ensures that reserve use, development, management and protection is consistent with its intent.”

The reserve management survey asks questions about the importance for the community, usage ideas, desired future community activities, what events the community would like to see hosted, what facilities are used most, how to increase the reserves’ ecological value, upgrades and improvements to amenities, and how to advance the access to these places. The community is also invited to add suggestions on how these public reserves will be used and cared for in the future.

Ms Trigg outlines: “The insights we gather are crucial to preparing a draft Reserve Management Plan that reflects the community's values and aspirations and establishes a strong foundation for the sustainable strategic future management of Buller's green spaces.”

Council has published an interactive online map on its community engagement hub, ‘Let’s talk Buller’, that includes information about each reserve’s amenities, current use, management and additional information. People are invited to go online and learn more about their reserves.

Ms Trigg highlights: “We know that our parks and reserves play an important role for our communities. Whether you are a regular visitor or an occasional user of our parks and reserves, we encourage you to complete the survey. It takes 10–15 minutes, and all questions are optional.”

Feedback will be reviewed in late 2024. Once this evaluation is completed, council staff will draft the RMP considering the reserve’s purpose, legal requirements, budget and feasibility constraints.

Council will consult on this draft RMP in 2025. This will allow the community to review the draft plan and provide their thoughts through submissions.

Council will consider all submissions and listen to people who wish to speak in support of their submission during the hearings.

If required, council will make any alterations to the draft plan and adopt the final version in 2025.

Within the Buller district, the Department of Conservation manages a range of scenic reserves. These are beyond council's control and not included.