A playground proposed for the new Bluestone subdivision just south of Oamaru has been put on hold by the Waitaki District Council because of questions raised by councillors.
Land and money for a playground was provided as part of a reserve contribution under the Resource Management Act when resource consent for the subdivision was granted.
At a public forum before last week's council meeting, Waitaki mayoral candidate Gary Kircher questioned spending $60,000 on playground equipment and development, along with $5200 a year on maintenance and depreciation.
A good playground in the Oamaru Gardens was a short distance away, and he suggested the money would be better spent on the Alps 2 Ocean cycleway, which would run past the subdivision and provide access to the gardens.
Instead of approving the development, the council has delayed a decision by laying the recommendation on the table until issues raised were answered.
Campers at two Waitaki lakes reserves will continue to pay a higher camping fee this season, while others get a reduction.
The council considered a recommendation it reduce the camp fees on its Waitaki lakes reserves from $460 to $410 by removing the boat ramp fee of $50. Campers with boats would pay the ramp fee separately.
However, last week the council learned the lessee of the Ohau C and Falsehood camping reserves on the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore had already pre-sold season tickets at $460, which included the boat fee.
The council changed the recommendation to exclude the two reserves from the new fee. After this season, the fee there would revert to $410, in line with other reserves, and a separate charge for the boat ramps.
The decision to remove the boat ramp fee was made because many campers did not have boats, and were not using the ramps.
