Submission on Te Kopahou Draft Network Plan

Posted bysheilahart76Posted inSubmissions and advocacy

23 February 2021

TO:

  • Bec Ramsay
  • Open Space and Recreation Manager
  • Wellington City Council

Submission on Te Kopahou Draft Network Plan

Introduction

  1. The Island Bay Residents’ Association democratically represents the views of 7000 Island Bay residents. 
  2. Our constitutional object is to facilitate discussions about the future of Island Bay between residents and the Council. While we do not make decisions on behalf of Island Bay residents we do act as an official representative group to council for receiving and disseminating Council information concerning Island Bay.
  3. Te Kopahou Reserve is one of the largest natural reserves near Island Bay. Many of our residents use the reserve for recreation. The tracks in the reserve link directly to Island Bay through a network of tracks starting at Paekawakawa Reserve, and Manawa Karioi. Both of these link with Tawatawa Reserve and, through that, the Tip Track. 
  4. Te Kopahou Reserve visitors’ centre is also a short and popular coastal walk from Island Bay to Owhiro Bay.

Support for the plan

  1. The Island Bay Residents’ Association supports the city council’s plan to upgrade and enhances the tracks in Te Kopahou Reserve.
  2. We believe the focus on ecologically sustainable tracks will benefit the environment by allowing more people, including trappers, weeders and planters access to the reserve in a managed way.
  3. The improved and extended track networks, with new interpretation signs and facilities, will give South Wellington residents access to an important part of our Māori and colonial history. This will help more people learn about and preserve our history.
  4. According to Sport NZ surveys walking and biking are two of the most popular forms of exercise for New Zealanders. Providing more local and accessible tracks and trails for people will benefit their physical and mental health.
  5. Developing this network of outdoor recreation opportunities means that South Wellington residents have a large natural outdoor facility that matches the large parks available to northern city residents and Hutt Valley residents through the East Harbour, and Belmont Regional Parks and Remutaka Forest Park 
  6. Upgrading the tracks will make them safer for the older members of our community who are also keen to walk these tracks. 
  7. We are excited by the proposal to construct a hut so that trampers, including families and community groups, can experience multi-day outdoor adventures in South Wellington. 
  8. The new Tip Track Trailhead will be an easily accessible local biking option for Island bay residents which they can reach without biking or driving across the city to more distant mountain biking facilities. 
  9. We also are that well-constructed cycle and walking trails can help local economic development. We welcome the potential business opportunities for South Wellington locals that could eventuate from supplying bike services, food and accommodation to visitors to the reserve. 

Conclusion

  1. We support Te Kopahou Draft Track Network Plan. We believe the proposed tracks will provide more opportunities and a better experience for island Bay residents. 

We are happy to talk in support of our submission. Our chairperson is Ben Everist and you can contact us at islandbayres@gmail.com.

%d bloggers like this: