The purpose of producing Reserve Management Plans is to provide for use, enjoyment, maintenance, protection, preservation and appropriate development within the available reserve resource. This provides the community with certainty about the future development of reserve and assists Council with its management and decision making.
Once a draft plan is produced consultation will be carried out and a vision for Percy Scenic Reserve and Jubilee Park, placing emphasis on management and development matters, will be established. The final reserve management plan will provide a small amount of operational detail, however the plan will generally focus at a higher level. Resources, development and management are the main focus. The plan will establish objectives and policies to address the issues and to recognise and develop the environmental qualities and values, facilities, recreational and educational opportunities of the reserves including commercial opportunities and events. Consideration needs to be given to community, Council and commercial interests.
The Reserves Act 1977 sets out a requirement for Council to produce reserve management plans for sites with status under the Act. The areas generally described as Jubilee Park and Percy Scenic Reserve contain properties classified as Scenic Reserve under the Act. One of the issues involved in this management planning exercise will be to determine which properties are to be officially considered as Jubilee Park and Percy Scenic Reserve.
It should be noted that Percy Scenic Reserve has a nationwide reputation for the propagation and cultivation of threatened plant species from New Zealand and our offshore islands. Percy Scenic Reserve is currently being altered as a result of work on Highway Two, between Dowse Drive and Petone
Jubilee Park has a special social history centred on the substantial residences and gardens that were located in the area that now comprises Jubilee Park. Only one of these dwellings remains intact and this has become Hutt Minoh Friendship House.
Both sites contain native bush, tracks and cultivated gardens using exotic and native species. Both sites are located on the Western Hills. Percy Scenic Reserve has a special association with the communities of Korokoro and Maungaraki. Jubilee Park is generally thought of as a Normandale facility, although it does have a walking link to the suburb of Harbourview. Both sites are managed by the Parks and Gardens Division of the Hutt City Council and are maintained under contract by Excell Corporation Ltd.
Between 22 April and 20 May 2008, Council is seeking suggestions and comments which may be used to prepare a Draft Reserve Management Plan for Jubilee Park and Percy Scenic Reserve. The timeline contained in this booklet indicates the process that will be followed to produce and adopt a final Plan.
The current Reserve Management Plan dates from the late 1970s. You can access a copy at The Central Library or from Hutt City Council.
The document is no longer considered to be useful or accurate.
Officers do not believe that a Reserve Management Plan has ever been prepared for Percy Scenic Reserve.