Submission on the Upper Hutt City Council Proposed Annual Plan 2001/2002
Wellington Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
c/o Kris Ericksen
11 Koromiko Road
Highbury
WELLINGTON
04 938 6539 evenings
04 499 7154 work
skf@paradise.net.nz
PROPOSAL
That the UHCC allocate staff resources to investigate, in
consultation with the landowners and representatives of the Wellington Hang
Gliding and Paragliding Club (WHGPC), mechanisms for the long-term provision
of an area for hang glider and paraglider landing in the Mangaroa Valley in
the vicinity of Flux Road and Mangaroa Valley Road.
That UHCC set aside financial resources from Parks and Reserves
contributions, in either the 2001/2002 or 2002/2003 financial years, to
implement in full or part the preferred mechanism identified by Council
Officers.
BACKGROUND
The WHGPC has 50 members from around the Wellington and Wairarapa
regions.
Flying from Mount Climie, above the Mangaroa Valley, has been taking
place since the late 1970's. The National Hang Gliding competition used this
site in 1991 and 2000.
Tandem hang gliders and paragliders use the site, and this has the
potential to become a commercial tourism activity in the future.
All take-off sites need a designated landing site within a minimum
gliding distance. The WHGPC has an arrangement with a landowner to have a
"bomb-out" landing area, but there are a number of safety limitations with
this area, in particular it is very narrow and has cross-winds. This land is
also subject to the possible subdivision in the future.
ZONING CHANGE
The recent change in zoning of the land to allow lifestyle
subdivision has the potential to adversely impact on the current landing
site. Rural subdivisions, by their very nature, tend to be incompatible with
landing areas, as the owners erect buildings, plant trees, and have animals,
such as ponies, horses or deer, that tend to be skittish in the presence of
hang gliders and paragliders. The WHGPC, unfortunately, did not make a
submission at the time of the plan change, to identify hang gliding and
paragliding as an existing use of the area.
REQUIREMENTS
The minimum area required - without power lines or trees at either
end - is a strip of land the length of a football field, ideally orientated
in a North-South direction. Other compatible uses of a landing site include,
but are not necessarily limited to, sheep and cattle grazing, dog exercise
area, golf practice, and sports practice.
The preferred location for a landing area is in the vicinity of Flux
Road and Mangaroa Valley Road.
An alternative location would be on Flux Road, opposite the Mangaroa
School. (The school grounds are unsuitable as a landing area, as trees
surround it.)
Another possible location would be alongside Coolers Stream, near
the Mangaroa Valley Road.
OPTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR LONG-TERM LANDING AREA
Options for the long-term provision of an area for hang glider and
paraglider landing include, but are not limited to:
*
Purchase
Purchase*Long-term leasing
Long-term leasing*Designation
Designation*Rezoning
Rezoning*Covenanting
CovenantingThe WHGPC considers that any owner would need to be compensated for
any loss of value if an option other than purchase or long-term lease were
pursued.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING
The WHGPC is currently exploring options for fund raising /
sponsorship / grants to assist in achieving long-term provision of a landing
site in the Mangaroa Valley
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
This proposal supports a number of the UHCC's Strategic Priorities.
The Strategic Priorities that are supported are appended.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
That the UHCC allocate staff resources to investigate, in
consultation with landowners and representatives of the WHGPC, mechanisms
for the long-term provision of an area for hang glider and paraglider
landing in the Mangaroa Valley in the vicinity of Flux Road and Mangaroa
Valley Road.
That UHCC set aside financial resources from Parks & Reserves
contributions, in either the 2001/2002 or 2002/2003 financial years, to
implement in full or part the preferred mechanism identified by Council
Officers.
REQUEST TO BE HEARD
I wish to discuss my submission with the Council on Tuesday 12 June after 4:30pm
Kris Ericksen
on behalf of the WHGPC
Strategic Priorities Supported
1.0 City economy The Council's priorities are:1.1 Marketing the city as a great place to live, work and play.1.3 Encouraging current businesses to remain and new businesses tolocate here.
2.0 City WellbeingThe Council's priorities are:2.1 Promoting a safe and healthy city.2.2 Providing quality facilities for sport, leisure and the arts.2.4 Encouraging and facilitating participation in sport, leisure and arts.2.5 Supporting the city's voluntary community organisations.3.0 City EnvironmentThe Council's priorities are:3.1 Protecting and enhancing the city's environment.3.2 Facilitating access to the natural environment. 3.4 Providing attractive garden, reserve and public areas.
