Zoo gets long lease

The family operating Frankton's Zoological Gardens has been granted a rent-free 10-year lease on the condition it prepares a management plan for the recreation reserve in which the zoo lies.

A five-year lease was recommended by a hearing panel that considered submissions on the issue last month.

But in recognition of the family's 50-year involvement with the site, councillors agreed on the longer term at this week's full meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

In their lease application, notified in April, the Young family said the zoo was visited by Queenstown residents and tourists for interacting with animals, picnics, birthday parties, gardening education and walking.

It provided public access at all times and operated on a non-profit basis.

Children were not charged but adults paid a $15 fee that went towards maintenance costs and animal feed.

In her report, council property consultant Jo Conroy said Ivan and Daphne Young's 33-year lease on the site had expired on March 31.

Mr Young had died in 2013 and Mrs Young was elderly but their daughters Penny and Rachel lived on the property and were "continuing with their father's legacy''.

The family's lease application had received five submissions, of which three were in support.

Neighbouring landowner Remarkables Park Ltd was opposed on the grounds the lease did not comply with the Reserves Act and effectively privatised reserve and river frontage.

The company's submission said the Young family did not provide free public access to the river.

It proposed the reserve land and an adjoining area of legal road be made available to the Queenstown Trails Trust so that its river trail could be moved closer to the river.

There were also no signs indicating the public had access to the river or the reserve.

"On the contrary, there is signage saying that dogs are prohibited, that there is no exit and that the zoological gardens are only open 10am to 4.30pm.''

A fifth submission, by the Young family, said a 12-month termination period initially proposed by the council was "inappropriate and unreasonable'' and out of step with the family's "longevity and enduring connection'' with the site.

It proposed the termination notice period be increased to five years.

However councillors agreed on a two-year notice period and set a three-year deadline for the reserve management plan to be completed.

Cr Mel Gazzard said once the plan was in place, the council could decide on the appropriate duration and terms of any future leases.

Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the decision initiated a "structured, reasonable process'' that would give the public an opportunity to have a say on the future use of the site.

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