Community 'orchard' at Waterloo Park, Hokowhitu?

Rosemary from Hokowhitu

PNCC has opened public consultation on a proposed reserve land exchange at Waterloo Park, Hokowhitu, as a preliminary to proposed Plan Change E, which would involve the Higgins/Roxburgh Crescent industrial area being rezoned as residential for medium density housing development.
A group of nearby residents see an alternative opportunity: to investigate community food production on the site of the proposed exchange, and an adjacent area of Waterloo Park reserve. The vision we see is to create a food-gathering zone incorporating a new public walking route from near Winchester Street dairy on Ruahine Street, through the housing development at Roxburgh Crescent, into Waterloo Park behind Tilbury Avenue, and out to the car park by the Scout Hall in Ayr Place.
We see food production, with the general concept of a 'productive park' of fruiting trees and shrubs etc., as a great community asset in tough economic times, especially in an area where small sections without much space for food-growing are being developed all around. There is no community food production area in Hokowhitu since the one near Crewe Crescent, accessed from Ashford Avenue, was moved due to housing development on site.

The photos here show part of Ahimate Reserve community orchard in Awapuni, as an example of what could be possible at Waterloo Park.

Please consider making a submission to PNCC in support of retaining the reserve land in question, if you share our vision of providing a new chance for place-making in the community whilst enhancing valuable green space in the neighbourhood. Online submission forms are at pncc.govt.nz/WaterlooExchange. Submssions close on Wednesday 17th May.

Thank you.
I’m happy to try to answer any questions on this post or by private message.