Donovan Park Management Plan

Donovan Park is an important link in the city’s parks systems. Covering over 79 hectares of land, the reserve contributes significantly to the open green space of Invercargill with its unique rural characteristics. The park provides a green link from Russell Square Playground through to Anderson Park along the North/South orientation.

We have heard that our community values the space due to its unique rural characteristics and residents regularly use the space for walking, running, cycling, and casual sport and recreation.

A Masterplan was developed in April 2024 following engagement with Elected Members, Mana Whenua, key partners and stakeholders, and members of the public. In conjunction with engagement, literacy reviews and GIS spatial mapping of existing land/features were undertaken.

Council adopted the Draft Masterplan to go out for further consultation on 30 July 2024 in concurrence with the first step of the Donovan Park Management Plan Review process.

This round of community consultation will inform the development of the Donovan Park Management Plan 2012 review.

Masterplan Vision

Key Project Themes that will be delivered through the implementation plan and detailed within the ten-year Reserve Management Plan include:

Celebrating Unique Natural Character

• Enhancing the landscape and continuing the rural feel.
• Enhancing and improving water and nature features to add more amenity and better support biodiversity outcomes, while managing stormwater control.
• Providing green streets/trees lining avenues within the park and on routes to and from the park to encourage active transport.

Promoting an Open Space Network

• Removing barriers and fences to improve more access for all (gates and fences).
• Focusing on enhancing spaces that can be accessible or where accessibility could be improved through the park.
• Linking ecology and recreation corridors between Donovan Park and other spaces and places.
• Enhancing connections to other spaces and placed, residential/urban areas, neighbourhood connections.
• Enhancing amenities and facilities to encourage visitor use.
• Developing active transport connections within and to/from the park.

Rationalising Land Use

• Ensuring the park has long term sustainable uses.
• Activating efficient use of land.
• Providing quality spaces for multi-use activities and events.
• Continuing a family friendly/whānau centric place for visitors.
• Considering the retention of the entire site for reserve purposes on the basis that the population is growing, the rural experience is enjoyed by locals (many unified voices and strong sense of collaboration around retaining space) and the site performs a stormwater management function.

Draft Implementation Plan

Alongside the draft Masterplan, an implementation plan has been drafted to support the execution and administration of the Management Plan.

The Implementation Plan is intended to be a living document and the detail will enable development within the Donovan Park Management Plan to occur.

Possible disposal of part of Donovan Park for residential development

Feedback received during the masterplan consultation highlighted appetite for or against the possible disposal of some of the reserve area as a potential location for increasing the available housing stock in our community.

If the intent is to pursue the disposal of part of Donovan Park, the agriculture and event areas could be considered as the areas with the highest potential for alternative land use. It is also to be recognised that an extensive legislatively driven process will be required to be undertaken for any land disposal options. Revocation of the designation under the Act as well as either a Resource Consent or Plan change to the District Plan (under the Resource Management Act 1991) would be required if the purpose was for housing development.

Purpose of the Management Plan

Council is required under the Reserves Act 1977 to prepare Management Plans on the reserves it manages. Management plans contain policies on the long-term maintenance and development of the reserves.

They are prepared to ensure the needs of the current and future users are captured and reflected in the plan and are consistent with current ‘best practice’ management procedures.

The management plan process will follow a 12 month timeframe, including a two-step public notification process as required through the Reserves Act, with the result being a management plan document illustrating how the reserve will be managed over the next ten years with guidance being taken by the masterplan.

How can you have your say?

Council has endorsed for public consultation to proceed and is inviting you, pursuant to Section 41 of the Reserves Act 1977 (Management Plan), to have your say on the following:

• Donovan Park Masterplan
• Draft implementation plan
• Donovan Park Management Plan 2012 review

Consultation with the public is the first step in the management plan process.

Your comments and suggestions will be taken into consideration in the preparation of the draft Donovan Park Management Plan.

You will have a further opportunity to comment on the draft when it is released to the public.

Submissions are due by 5.00pm Wednesday 4 September 2024.