Land swap a 'win, win, win' for trust

The council will swap the blue area for the yellow area, currently owned by the trust. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust is excited about a potential land swap between it and the Rotorua Lakes Council, describing it as a "win, win, win".

The council is proposing to exchange areas of existing reserve for an area of ex-railway land that currently belongs to Ngati Whakaue, managed by Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust, between Sheaf Park and Pererika St.

Trust client manager Peter Faulkner said the land swap came about after the cancellation of the arterial route.

"Both the council and ourselves had land we couldn't utilise.

"We have allowed the council to get some land they can get some use of and it's going to help St John and us out as well. I see it as a win, win, win."

He said the trust planned to move its early childhood centre, currently to the left of the roundabout as you enter Trade Central, onto its 'new' land.

"We are basically shifting through the fence."

He said the trust was in the process of planning what to do with the current site of the early childhood centre but that was currently confidential.

"Basically everyone is looking at getting something out of this, even the wider community. It's a great opportunity.

"It will allow that portion of land to be utilised and continually smarten up the entrance into the city," Mr Faulkner said.

If approval is given for the swap by the council's Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee it will then go to the Department of Conservation, which administers the Reserves Act, for final approval.

If the proposal gets the go-ahead, St John Ambulance will have extra land on which to expand its Rotorua station. It would also allow the city's skate park to be extended.