The Invercargill City Council has changed plans for a $90,000 bequest from an Otatara resident, following strong opposition from the community.
Councillors yesterday had approved the development of a community space on Dunns Rd at Oreti Rd corner.
It would include an asphalt bike pump track, park benches and informal play area.
The reversal followed a petition from 1000 Otatara residents who opposed the council’s initial idea of putting the money towards improvements at Fosbender Park.
Derek Gostelow died in 2019 and left $90,000 to the council, on the condition the money was spent on community projects within the Otatara area.
Following public consultation last year, council staff recommended the money go towards the park project.
However, that did not please residents, who asked the council to revisit its plans.
An advisory group was formed and Otatara resident Penny Ivey was appointed to help understand the community’s preferred option.
Council parks and recreation manager Caroline Rain said the council had undertaken a significant amount of consultation with the community about the two options of landscape plan.
The first idea was to use the money at Dunns Rd and the second was to use the money at Taiepa Dune Reserve.
After consideration, the Dunns Rd option had majority support.
Cr Nobby Clark said yesterday he had been to the workshops in Otatara and feedback received was very positive.
