The City Council's Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreational Plan is a detailed document that offers a wide variety of recreational activities from picnicking to mountain biking, from swimming to ecological education.
The areas in question, including the 170 hectare Woodpecker Forest block, are strong in historic, cultural and ecological importance.
The plan has been prepared over 18 months by consultant, Peter Handford, who has also prepared the Turitea Reserve Management Plan, and includes consultation with a range of stakeholders.
Leisure Assets Planner, Aaron Phillips, regards the recreational plan, which is included in the Council's 10 Year Plan, as "the cornerstone of the 2002 Outdoor Recreation Strategy."
"The plan is the blueprint for recreational development in the Kahuterawa and, if approved by Council, the area will become prized and popular for people in the region and visitors to the city," he says.
The area, in question, stretches from the Kahuterawa Reserve to Gordon Kear Forest and Hardings Park and includes such attractions as native and exotic forest, the challenging Sledge Track, trout spawning streams, the historic platinum mines and offers impressive vistas for people who want to enjoy the natural scenery.
Recommendations in the plan include the provision for new walking tracks, additional pest control measures, more mountain biking facilities and systems to improve biodiversity.
The plan is available on the Council's website www.pncc.govt.nz and copies are available from the Customer Service Centre and the City Library. People have until August 13 to make submission.
"We are asking people to consider the plan, offer their constructive opinions about it and suggest what they want to see developed further," Aaron says. "However all this comes at a cost and people will be asked to evaluate the budget for carrying out the developments."
"We encourage people to participate. It is their opportunity to influence the direction of the development and its cost."
The submissions will be evaluated and included in a report to Council in October.