Mutukaroa Hamlins Hill management plan

Contents | Foreword | Introduction | Statutory framework | Council framework | History | Current resources - enhancement and development opportunities | Management objectives and policies | Implementation

7.0 Implementation

7.1 Landscape concept plan

A concept landscape plan was prepared for Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill in 1998 in conjunction with Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council. The plan was approved and adopted by the Mutukaroa Management Trust and encompassed planting on the lower slopes and gullies, informal access paths, an amphitheatre, lookout and grassed slopes. In light of recent developments it is timely to review the plan for its current relevance and use it as a basis to prepare both a developed landscape plan and vegetation management regime.

7.2 Development plan

Development plans are prepared for specific projects as Council finances become available. The call for a development plan and its implementation is dictated by the priority of projects around the city on an annual basis through Council's Annual Plan. The preparation and outcome of a development plan is bound by the objectives and policies of the management plan.

A development plan will be prepared in consultation with the user groups and public to outline the design intent for the reserve and indicate the detailed site layout; use areas; recreation areas; paths and pedestrian access tracks; car parking; extent of planted areas and enable development of the reserve to proceed as and when funds are available.

Once complete this will form an appendix to the management plan.

The following matters are considered important in terms of the development of Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill:

• enhancement of the natural, visual and landscape values of Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill
• protection of the archaeological features and sites of historic significance
• provision of informal, casual and unstructured recreational activities made available by the provision of facilities such as grassed recreation spaces, picnic areas, access paths, seats and rubbish bins, toilets, signs and planting
• provision of pedestrian linkages with surrounding reserves, open spaces, residential areas and public transport
• enhancement and improvement of the entrances and signage.

7.3 Vegetation management regime

A vegetation management regime will be prepared in consultation with interest groups and the public to determine the future development, intensity, provision and management of the vegetation within Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill encompassing the following:

• to establish significant areas of indigenous vegetation, focusing on the lower slopes and gullies
• to protect the integrity of the visual landscape while preserving sightlines to and from the upper slopes of the hill in all directions
• to ensure that the vegetation is not detrimental to the archaeological, cultural and landscape values of the reserve
• to utilise only eco-sourced plant stock, wherever possible, in future plantings
• to ensure the survival of historic hawthorn hedgerows.

Once complete this will form an appendix to the management plan.