The identification of reserve areas and public open spaces as Reserve Management Units is the method which the District Plan seeks to identify reserves and open space resources in the District (Objective 2.4.10). These Reserve Management Units are shown in Part E – Maps (Map Series 2) and scheduled in Appendix 20.1 of this Chapter. A Reserve Management Unit recognises that such reserve areas and public open space activities may not fall exclusively within the effects anticipated by activities in the underlying zoning of these areas. Most of the land that is identified as a Reserve Management Unit is either public land administered by the Department of Conservation or land owned by Kaipara District Council.

Reserve areas and community public open spaces are important for both community well-being and environmental health. Recreational reserves and public open spaces provide for a wide range of social and recreational opportunities, while reserves for conservation purposes preserve and protect landscape and ecological values. Reserve Management Units can generally be classed as either active or passive, although many units, especially on the coast, serve both functions. Council acknowledges that both opportunities for recreation and protection of conservation values are important in the Kaipara District.

In some Reserve Management Units it may be appropriate to develop public facilities while in others it may be appropriate to limit development. Management of Reserve Management Units reflects the reasons for their protection or reservation, and the expectations of the community.

With the consent of the owner, the notation may also apply to privately owned land having potential for recreational purposes or which is already developed for recreational purposes.

The Council plans to add to its reserve stock based on the identified reserve needs of the various communities in the District. The process of requiring contributions on subdivision or development will support this (refer to Chapter 22 Financial Contributions).

The Reserve Management Unit complements the provisions of Management Plans which are required to be prepared for reserves by the Reserves Act 1977.

Council developed a Reserves and Open Space Strategy in June 2006 to provide a policy document to assist in the management of its reserves areas and community open spaces throughout the District. The Reserves and Open Space Strategy provides an action plan to achieve the desired reserves and open space outcomes and sets policies relating to information management, reserve management planning and the building of partnerships. This section of the District Plan seeks to support the implementation of this document.

This Chapter contains Issues, Objectives and Policies relating to the provision, protection and management of public open spaces and reserves in the Plan. The Chapter also includes Rules relating specifically to Reserve Management Units for reserve functions These Rules only apply if you have a Reserve Management Unit on your property (or are on the property where you want to carry out the proposed activity), as shown on Map Series 2 in Part E – Maps. In any instance where the rules in this Chapter overlap with (or duplicate) a rule in the Zone Chapters, the rules in this Chapter will take precedence. Other objectives and policies of this Chapter, are put into action through Rules in the relevant Zone Chapters and the Chapter 22: Financial Contributions.

Before you use this Chapter of the District Plan, check:

	That the property for development / subdivision has a ‘Reserve Management Unit’ on it (Map Series 2):
	If it doesn’t the rules of this Chapter don’t apply.
	If it does, you need to look at the relevant Rules of this Chapter first and then the Rules for the Zone your property is in (Map Series 1).

Outcomes