The controversial idea of selling off some of Gore's playgrounds, sitting on prime land, is expected to reappear at next week's Gore District Council meeting.
But this time, it seems the council has eased back from a suggestion it could earn more than $1 million from the exercise.
Instead, it is looking at keeping most parks, carving off some and adding improvements to others according to recommendations contained in a report to go to the full council on Tuesday.
A council working party first examined the idea of revamping or selling off some playgrounds which were occupying valuable land.
Potentially, selling off several key playgrounds could have earned the council an estimated $1.18 million but the idea received a negative response from many in the community, prompting the council to do a rethink of what land it might dispose of in the future.
The review was carried out as part of the council's revision of its long-term council community plan, which outlines what the council is thinking of doing over the next three years and out towards a whole decade.
In the report, the working party said its "defining and overwhelming conclusion" was the council had a superb array of parks, reserves, gardens, shrubberies and playgrounds that served the needs of the community.
"While there may be scope for some minor rationalisation [in the recommendations], the working party believes these assets need to be viewed as a positive legacy from the past and not a millstone on the district's future."
Key recommendations include. -
• Talking to interested parties about the future of West Gore playgrounds at Merlin Pl, Sword St and Moa Pl.
• A portion of Bannerman Park be used for public groups involved in sustainable living concepts to create and operate a public vegetable garden and orchard areas.
• Land around the golf driving range be retained.
• $15,000 to be spent on a new slide at the Salford St playground.
