Fly-line approved to move to next stage
An application to develop a flyline at Hipapatua Reserve (Reid’s Farm) was today approved by the council’s Fences, Roading, Reserves and Dogs Committee to move to the next stage.
The committee has the delegated authority to approve a licence to occupy the reserve but final delegation for consent lies with the full council on behalf of the Minister of Conservation.
The committee made the decision to approve the fly-line activity and a small café for a term of 10 years following the hearing of submissions and a right of reply by the applicant 4Nature NZ Ltd.
Chairman Barry Hickling said it was not an easy decision to make as there were some concerns about the safety of the trees but he was confident any issues could be mitigated with the use of conditions in the licence to occupy the reserve.
“The applicant is the same one that developed Redwoods in Rotorua and that is a quality development,” he said.
“If there was to be a partnership with Greening Taupo to further develop that reserve I think there could be some really positive benefits for our district,” he said.
The council will consider the committee’s recommendation at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 30.