Smoke-free parks in draft plan

Public parks across Waitaki could be made smoke-free, if a new parks and reserves management plan for the district is adopted.

Whether smoking should be allowed in the district's public spaces is one of the questions the Waitaki District Council will put to the public, as it finalises a district-wide parks and reserves draft management plan.

Council recreation manager Erik van der Spek said the draft plan would help determine the desired mix of values and uses for the district's council-managed parks and reserves.

The management plan would also provide uniform policies and rules for the day-to-day management of parks and reserves, and provide concept plans for future development, Mr van der Spek said.

The council now sought public feedback on a range of specific questions, he said"We want to know what people think about issues like whether or not our parks and reserves should be smoke-free, whether cycling should be allowed in the Oamaru Public Gardens, whether there should be commercial activities allowed [such as cafes] in parks and reserves, where a dog exercise park could be located and what the future of the gardens' aviary should be."

He said feedback could be given by completing an online questionnaire, or by completing a printed copy which is available on the council's website or from council services centres.

Public drop-in sessions in Hampden, Kurow and Oamaru would also provide an opportunity for people to learn about the process.

Public submissions would close on November 30, and the draft plan would go out for public consultation in February.