MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council

Thursday 11 July, 2013

Totara Reserve feedback invited

Horizons Regional Council is inviting feedback on the updated Totara Reserve asset management plan.

In 2012 stewardship of Totara Reserve was vested with Horizons Regional Council. The reserve is the Region’s first regional park and Horizons is now responsible for its management.

Horizons manager biosecurity and habitat protection Bill Martyn says to reflect these changes the existing management plan has been reviewed and updated.

“The main change to the current plan is the proposal to rename the reserve Totara Reserve Regional Park. We’ve proposed this as Totara Reserve is the only regional park we have and so we’d like the title to reflect this,” he says.

“We have also proposed some minor changes to policies in the draft plan to reflect the change of management of the reserve.”

Mr Martyn says the draft plan addresses the need to maintain a balance between using the reserve for recreation and protecting and enhancing the significant natural resources on the reserve.

“Totara Reserve is a rare gem and we are extremely lucky to have a park like this in our Region. The best way for people to have a say on how we manage it is to make a submission,” he says.

Submissions can be made by:

• Online at www.horizons.govt.nz;

• Post your submission to Freepost 217922, Horizons Regional Council, Private Bag 11025, Manawatu Mail Centre, Palmerston North 4442;

• Email your submission to submissions@horizons.govt.nz; or

• Call Bill Martyn, Manager Biosecurity & Habitat Protection on 06 9522 929 or 0508 800 800.

Copies of the draft plan are available from your nearest Horizons office and online at www.horizons.govt.nz. Submissions on the Draft Plan close at 5pm on Friday 30 August 2013.

Ends

Editors note: The reserve is 338 hectares on the river terraces and hills of Pohangina Valley. The reserve is used by a wide range of visitors for camping and picnicking and other activities. A network of walking tracks take you through the reserve and the forest remnant is considered one of the finest in the area. The river is popular for swimming, fishing and other water activities.

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