DOUBLING BEACH RESERVE Proposal To Open Up Waimairi

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 1

DOUBLING BEACH RESERVE Proposal To Open Up Waimairi

Plans to double the 500-acre foreshore reserve between the south spit of the Waimakariri River and Beach Road, Waimairi Beach, were received by the Waimairi County Council last evening. The 1000-acre reserve would be twice the size of Hagley Park.

Two golf courses; areas for picnicking, surfing, and other sports; board-walks across the sandhills to the beach; pine forests, and areas natural coverage would remain, are included in the proposal. At the same time protection of wildlife reserves and natural reserves would be retained.

The foreshore reserve would comprise a strip about 1000 yards wide from Broad Park to Spencer Park. It is proposed to extend the Marine Parade from Beach Road to Lower Styx Road, west of Spencer Park, no building being permitted east of the road.

The road would run

through the two golf courses, and through tongues of forest Urban development was planned west of the proposed Marine Parade extension, between Rothesay Road and Lower Styx Road, and houses there would have the golf courses, forests, and recreational reserve as part of their environment The existing foreshore reserve is about 500 yards wide. Ninety per cent of the 500 acres required to double the width of the reserve is owned

by the Waimairi and City Councils and the Crown. It is considered important to have the land gazetted as a reserve as soon as possible to prevent subdivision.

The City Council, the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority and the Lands and Survey Department have been advised of the plan and of the intention to double the size of the foreshore reserve. Lincoln Plan The council decided to refer the foreshore development plan, which it had ordered from the Lincoln College landscaping consultant service, to its recreation planning and development subcommittee for further study The council also decided that the sub-committee give consideration to the possible future of Crown land north of Heyders Road, in reference to the short-term development of Spencer Park. ‘Very Exciting’ The plan was a “very exciting" one, and the proposal was one of the most important of its kind to be made, the county chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said. Cr R. C. Neville said it should be emphasised that the plan was conceptual only, and that a great deal of detailed planning would be needed during a period of 20 to 30 years.