GREEN SPACE: Byron's Resort has been using this slice of Tasman Rd Reserve for overflow camping. Back from the iron fence is a sand dune and then the rest of the reserve.
GREEN SPACE: Byron's Resort has been using this slice of Tasman Rd Reserve for overflow camping. Back from the iron fence is a sand dune and then the rest of the reserve.
The public will be consulted on whether Byron's Resort should have an exclusive lease to a slice of the Tasman Rd Reserve in Otaki.
The environment and community development committee, which met on Thursday, backed getting public feedback about entering into a exclusive lease agreement with the company.
Bryon's doesn't have a formal lease for the 1800sq m slice of public land, just a verbal agreement which goes back a number of years, providing that the land, which is used for overflow camping space, is maintained by the company.
Council parks and recreation manager Alison Law said council had no current plans for the land, "but that's not to say it won't change in time".
She said some members of the community wanted to see the area of the reserve open to the public.
At the meeting, Ann Lawler, from Otaki, said, "Give the land back to the people. We want it."
Ms Lawler, who was among a group of about 20 people who attended a public meeting on the site on a wet April 24, didn't want see a lease arrangement for the land entered into.
But Ms Law said it would cost $2000 to $3000 a year for council to maintain the site, the site's only access [from Tasman Rd] was over a sand dune, and there was a security risk to the campgrounds.
Improving public access to the site could involve making a cut in the sand dune or creating an easement over Bryon's land, she said.
Entering an exclusive lease with Byron's in the short to medium term was the best option, she believed.
Councillor Mike Cardiff said the verbal agreement dated back to about 1970 but the land issue had only become public about 18 months ago when vegetation on part of the site was cleared.
He was happy for public consultation but questioned the "desirability of the council to actually own the land at all".
If the slice of reserve was sold, proceeds could go into improving the rest of the reserve, he suggested.
PLAYTIME: The Tasman Rd Reserve. In the distance is a sand dune leading to another part of the reserve which Byron's Resort uses for overflow camping.
A final decision regarding the proposed lease will be made at a council meeting on August 18 after a report from council officers on submissions received. The report will also include options to sell the slice of land.
A lease agreement with Byron's would be for five years [about $500 a year], with a right of renewal for five more years.
Either party could terminate the lease with three months written notice.
