Council has prepared a Draft Reserves General Policies which covers the policies governing the management, use and development of its reserves (excluding those covered under the Saxton Field Reserve Management Plan, prepared jointly with Tasman District Council).

These policies will guide Council's reserve management plans in future.

Now's your chance to give us feedback on the draft.

About our reserves

Council looks after about 260 parks and reserves, covering about 11,300 hectares. This includes public gardens, neighbourhood parks, sportsgrounds, esplanade and foreshore reserves, walkways, and landscape and conservation reserves. Most of this land — about 10,300 hectares — is conservation reserve. This includes water collection areas and forestry.

Why we need this plan

The Reserves Act 1977 says Council must have a reserve management plan for the reserves it looks after. These plans can also cover parks held under the Local Government Act 2002. The Draft Reserves General Policies does both jobs at once - it's Council's plan for its parks and reserves.

Local plans for individual or grouped parks and reserves will still cover issues and developments specific to those places. Where local needs differ from the general policies, the local plan will set that out. These local plans won't repeat everything already covered in the general policies.

The benefits of this approach

• One consistent approach to managing reserves, whatever act they sit under, with less duplication
• Less time and cost for Council and submitters, both for managing reserves and preparing or changing reserve management plans
• A simpler, more streamlined process for decisions

• Meeting our legal requirements more efficiently

This consultation is occurring under sections 41 and 119 of the Reserves Act 1977.

Any person wishing to make a submission or objection on this proposal should do so using the submission form on this page, or in an email to submissions@ncc.govt.nz, or in writing to Freepost 76919 Nelson City Council, PO Box 645, Nelson, 7040.

Submissions or objections must be received no later than 5pm on 23 October 2026.

Anyone putting in a submission or objection can present their views at the hearing currently proposed for 18 November 2026. Please confirm in your submission or objection if you wish to be heard.

To view a hard copy of the Draft Reserves General Policies visit:

• NCC Council’s Customer Service Centre, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street,
• Elma Turner Library, Halifax Street, Nelson
• Stoke Library, Putaitai Street, Stoke.