FAQs
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We already have a Masterplan, Why do we need a Reserve Management Plan?
A Reserve Management Plan is legislatively required under the Reserves Act 1977 and set out the objectives and policies that inform the management of the reserve.
A Masterplan provides a strategic long term vision. It provides a high-level visual layout of the development of the site. Developing a separate Masterplan at the same time as a Reserve Management Plan is recommended to provide more specific guidance on the location of any agreed reserve developments. The document can be more easily amended in the future because the Masterplan process isn’t under the Reserves Act.
Without a strategy in place, we run the risk of the Reserve Management Plan rolling over without consideration of the long term direction.
What is the legal status of a Reserve Management Plan?
The legal status of a Reserve Management Plan is a guiding document to assist in the upkeep, maintenance, enjoyment and use of a reserve. The Reserve Management Plan will determine how the administrative body will exercise its functions, but the Reserve Management Plan will not overrule the other relevant legislation such as the District Plan.
Does a Reserve Management Plan remove the need for a resource consent or public consultation for future developments?
No, a Reserve Management Plan does not remove the need for a resource consent or necessary public consultation for future developments. Any future proposal still needs to comply with the standards of the Invercargill City Council District Plan and/or any relevant National Policies and Standards.
Ideally, the objectives and policies of the Reserve Management Plan will align with those of local, regional and national legislation, as well as other Council strategies and policies.
What has changed from the 2012 Reserve Management Plan?
The recent strategy developed through the Masterplan and General Policies Reserve Management Plan has outlined changes which have flowed onto the draft Reserve Management Plan;
Vision, Objectives, Values and Guiding Principles for the reserve have been developed in line with the Masterplan, outlining key areas of focus over the 3, 10 and 30 year timeframes.
General Policies Reserve Management Pan 2023 now addresses general policies that apply to Donovan Park, whereas specific developments and activities to Donovan Park remain in the draft Reserve Management Plan.
The document is shorter than the previous version due to removing policies that are managed through separate Council policies.
Management Areas and illustrations have been incorporated in line with the Masterplan.
Future Development policies include delivering the intentions of the Masterplan and consideration of storm water function proposals and revocation options, noting a separate process is still required for any proposed revocation.
What is an Implementation Plan and is it set in stone?
Alongside the draft Reserve Management Plan, an implementation plan has been drafted to support execution and administration over the next 10 years. The Implementation Plan is a working document and the detail will enable development within the Reserve Management Plan to occur.
Projects outlined in the Implementation Plan are currently unbudgeted and, if the projects are going to proceed, provision will need to be made for these projects in future Long-Term and Annual planning processes.
When do you refer to a General Policies Reserve Management Plan and when do you refer to the Donovan Park Reserve Management Plan?
General Policies Reserve Management Plan is the foundational document that sets objectives and policies to all reserves. Donovan Park Reserve Management Plan overlays the General Policies Reserve Management Plan and sets objectives and policies that relate specifically to the reserve.
What are the key themes Invercargill City Council want to include in the Reserve Management Plan?
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
Continuing the urban-rural integration and transition.
Enhancing and improving water and nature features to add more amenity and better support biodiversity outcomes, while managing storm water control.
Providing green tree lined routes within the reserve to encourage active transport.
Promoting a Blue Green network.
Promoting an Open Space Network
Removing fences to open up more access for all.
Focus on improving accessibility through the reserve.
Enhancing connections to residential/urban areas.
Provide additional facilities to encourage more uses for people to stay longer.
Develop active transport connections within the reserve.
Rationalising Land Use
Clearly outlining the different uses of the reserve through an organised framework.
This will ensure the reserve has long term sustainable uses.
Activating more of the land for public access.
Providing quality spaces for multi-use activities and events.
Continuing a family friendly/whānau centric place for visitors.
What impact will the plan have on the community?
The community will be included in future consultation processes as actions are implemented where required e.g. expressions of interest to develop community garden, landscape plan developments for site specific areas, revocation proposals, plus other detailed design initiatives to understand priorities and community aspirations for spaces within the reserve.
What will the cultivation area look like?
The cultivation space is split in multi-use space that includes the current site managed by Te Tapu O Tāne, currently classed as Local Purpose Reserve. The remaining cultivation area is intended to be used by community groups and members of the public for food security and resilience, native planting and propagation. Council envisages fruit and nut trees/orchards, tunnel houses, vegetable gardens and supporting infrastructure to support these activities. This is in addition to the nursery operations which currently occur on site.
Is anything going to change about how the land is managed?
At this stage, no.
Current leases and activities as described within the Masterplan are still able to continue. This includes the Sports fields which have been prioritized to remain and be a part of the community hub setting.
If there is any relocation required in future, Council will follow the lease conditions, notifying the lease within the timeframe provided and working with the leaseholder to look at alternative solutions.
Council will also continue to use the space for grazing as a means to manage grassed areas.
What will you plant?
This is to be confirmed, a planting plan will be implemented as part of the detailed design of the Masterplan which will include plants for the purposes of shelter, habitats, wetland, amenities, arboretum and incorporate natives where possible in an extensive green infrastructure network .
What is an arboretum?
Literally means “a place of trees”. It’s a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. It can contain a variety of species. The Donovan Park Arboretum is Oak Quercus and the intention is to expand it.
Will development affect infrastructure pipes?
Yes - it will be of overall benefit to the infrastructure network. Parks and Recreation has been working with the Three Waters team to understand impacts on developing over infrastructure (e.g. water pipes) and will ensure through detailed design and implementing these actions the infrastructure will not be impacted.
There have been discussions about whether some land within Donovan Park will be sold – is this happening?
Council have made the decision to wait until the completion of the Reserve Management Plan before commencing with the process associated with the revocation and sale of part of Donovan Park. That process must be completely separate from the Reserve Management Plan process, as prescribed by the Reserves Act 1977.
As this is a known potential foreseen development in the reserve, it is Included in the Future Development section as information to ensure Council are being transparent about options they are considering for the space.
Council’s expectation is that the process associated with revocation of Donovan Park will begin in May 2025.
How can I book spaces or lease an area of Donovan Park?
Any bookings can be made through the ICC Bookable site: Invercargill City Council | Bookable
Please contact the Parks and Recreation Office (parks.recreation@icc.govt.nz) if there is a space you would like to lease.
Will there be public engagement sessions during this public consultation period?
No, Council has not planned any face-to-face engagement for this particular consultation, as over the past 18 months Council has run 3 separate consultations, all with face-to-face opportunities. We ask that people consider the draft Reserve Management Plan and let us know via submission if we have this right.
Following adoption of the Reserve Management Plan, the revocation process will be implemented. We are planning to hold events during the revocation consultation process as per s24 of the Reserves Act 1977.
There runs the risk of the community feeling higher levels of public consultation fatigue if public engagement events are also undertaken during both stages.
If you would like to speak to someone about the content of the Reserve Management Plan ahead of your submission, we are happy to arrange this. Please get in touch via email (parks.recreation@icc.govt.nz) before consultation closes on Friday 14 February 2025.
I have already submitted about Donovan Park, do I need to submit again?
Thank you to everyone who has submitted about Donovan Park previously.
At this stage, we want to know if our community feel we have got the Reserve Management Plan right. When considering feedback received regarding the Reserve Management Plan, Councillors will not have the previous submissions in front of them, so even if you have submitted on the previous phases of consultation about Donovan, it is important we hear from you again.
If you wish to speak to Councillors about your submission in person, please indicate so on your submission form and we will contact you to arrange a hearing.
How can I have my say?
Alternatively, you can pick up a submission form and drop one off at
You can also email the Parks and Recreation Team at parks.recreation@icc.govt.nz