The council adopted a reserve management plan for the Kaikōura Esplanade Reserve, which sets out how the site can be used, at a meeting on Wednesday, December 18.
The process was triggered earlier this year while the council was consulting on establishing a proposal from Kaikōura Springs Ltd to develop a commercial hot pools in the reserve, on the assumption it was Department of Conservation land.
It was subsequently discovered the land had been vested in the council some years ago, rendering the process ‘‘null and void’’.
‘‘My thinking is with hot pools, you can put them anywhere as long as they have a good view,’’ Mr Mackle said.
‘‘The reserve management plan is just that. It is not excluding anything, within reason.
‘‘I believe hot pools will happen in Kaikōura one way or another, it is just a question of where and how.’’
The site was previously used for the Kaikōura Lions Community Pool, which was severely damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016.
It meant the site was designated for a swimming pool, but the question was whether it was a commercial venture or council controlled, the council’s corporate services senior manager Peter Kearney said.
He said there was good feedback from the community, with 41 submissions received during a two month consultation period.
The new plan contains a definition of what an open space looks like and a clause requiring at least 40 percent of the reserve to be left as a open space, in response to community feedback.
The council has remained in contact with Kaikōura Springs Ltd, Mr Kearney said.
‘‘The reserve management plan is intended to be broad-based and enabling.
‘‘The conversation is now open to anybody who might be interested in making use of the site.
‘‘It could be hot pools, or it could be a surfing venture. Anything is possible, as long as it meets the objectives of the plan.’’
Mr Kearney said a hill site in the South Bay Domain, near the Kaikōura Aquatic Centre, has also been suggested as a possible hot pools site.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
