A proposed landscape plan which includes replanting Cape Wanbrow after logging has generally received the thumbs up from the community in submissions considered by the Waitaki District Council on Wednesday.
However, some suggested making it better by including a night observatory-education centre, more tracks, seats, rest areas, rubbish bins and drinking fountains.
While there was an emphasis on replanting natives, another proposal was creating a community orchard in one area. The council was considering 105 submissions on its draft reserve management plan, of which Cape Wanbrow was only a part.
The cape, Oamaru's most prominent backdrop, was planted as a pine plantation but that was felled this year because wind-blown trees made it dangerous.
Now the council is proposing to redevelop the area as a recreational reserve with tourist attractions. Cost could be an issue, at estimates of $700,000 to $1 million, which could be offset by encouraging the community to help. Graeme Clark, of Oamaru, suggested planting the top level of the proposed Forrester Heights residential subdivision with native trees, spelling out ''Oamaru'', a tourism backdrop.
Derek Golding, also of Oamaru, proposed an observatory-education-conference centre on the southeast of the cape, away from the lights of Oamaru.
However, the council could also promote a dark sky policy for Oamaru, over time replacing lights with more suitable ones to reduce light spill.
Catherine Harvey said a meeting of about 20 residents on the cape supported most aspects of the proposed landscape plan and felt it would suit most users.
However, to reduce weeds in the meantime and reduce spraying, the area should be top-dressed with browntop and fescue, not high-growing grasses.
Waitaki Community Gardens co-ordinator Sophia de la Barra asked for planting to include heritage fruit and nut trees in an area marked ''mixed amenities'' on the cape, creating an easily accessible community garden.
Oamaru residents Andrew and Katrina Hazelhurst suggested more tracks, seating and rest areas to ensure the cape was well used, while Mountain Bike North Otago's Andrew Milne wanted the council to make resources available to reconstruct and maintain the mountain bike tracks.
Mr Milne also suggested the Forrester Heights subdivision area should be incorporated into the Cape Wanbrow reserve rather than be developed.
''It is greedy and short-sighted to sell off what should be kept and made better for current and future generations,'' he said.
