Statement of Proposal

Hamilton City Council (the Council) is seeking feedback on a proposal to change the reserve classification for part of Lake Domain Reserve, in accordance with Section 24 of the Reserves Act 1977.


Why are we proposing a change of classification?

Hamilton City Council is proposing to change the classification of part of Lake Domain Reserve – from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose (Water Infrastructure) Reserve. This change is needed to support the development of essential water infrastructure that will help meet the city’s future needs.

Council would like to hear from community members who may be interested in, or affected by, the change to the reserve classification.

Council has already completed several rounds of non-legislative engagement on the central city reservoirs project.

Hamilton is growing fast, and with this growth comes the need for reliable infrastructure. The Council, with full funding from National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF), is planning to build two new 25 megalitre water reservoirs and a booster pump station near the existing Ruakiwi Road reservoir. One reservoir will be delivered by 2028, and the other from 2040 onwards. This infrastructure is critical to ensuring safe and resilient water supply for the central city – now and into the future.

The proposed infrastructure doesn’t align with the current ‘Recreation Reserve’ classification under the Reserves Act (1977). To progress, the land needs to be reclassified to better reflect its intended use as a site for essential water infrastructure.

Council is proposing to:

  • Reclassify approximately 14,810m2 of Lake Domain Reserve, specifically part of Lot 1, DP 16167 and Park Allotment 74, Hamilton West TV Belt, from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose (Water Infrastructure) Reserve.

The area of Lake Domain Reserve identified as the preferred site for the new reservoirs is currently open space that can be used for recreational activities, including play, leisure, and off-lead dog exercise.

The proposal would result in a change of use for part of the reserve, allowing for the construction of essential water infrastructure. This will involve the loss of some open space within the reserve, and the removal of mature trees.

As part of the projects design process, the potential impacts of this change will be carefully considered. Mitigation measures will focus on enhancing the surrounding reserve area and identifying opportunities to preserve and improve recreational value wherever possible.

Although only one reservoir is being built at this stage, the site has been designed to accommodate a second reservoir in the future, which is anticipated to be required by 2040.

Key reasons for the proposal are:

Reasons… Further explanation…
To enable critical infrastructure development that supports projected growth in the city centre The proposed site is needed for the construction of two 25 megalitre water reservoirs.

The current reservoir is nearly 100 years old, and no longer meets the city’s needs. New reservoirs are needed to:
• Provide a reliable, high-quality water supply for residents, businesses and Waikato Hospital.
• Support population growth in the central city, expected to increase by 10,800 by 2035.
• Ensure adequate water for firefighting.
It’s the more suitable site to service the central city The Lake Domain site has been selected after technical, environmental, and cultural investigations.

One key advantage of the site is its elevation, which allows water to be distributed using gravity – making the system more efficient and sustainable.
Current classification doesn’t fit the purpose The land is currently classified as a Recreation Reserve under the Reserves Act.

The proposed infrastructure is not consistent with the intended use of a recreation reserve.

A change to Local Purpose Reserve is required to legally enable the development.

Options

Council is providing two options for the community to give feedback on. Council’s preferred option is to change the classification of part of Lake Domain Reserve from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose (Water Infrastructure) Reserve. The other option is the status quo (not to change the classification from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose).

  • Option 1: (preferred Change the classification)

    Reclassify Lake Domain Reserve from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose (Water infrastructure) Reserve

    This would mean:

    • The right legal and planning frameworks are in place so the water reservoir project can move forward.
    • The water reservoir development could begin which will ensure a future-proofed water supply for the central city.
    • The project will continue to run on schedule and will be delivered within the required timeframes – securing important infrastructure funding for Hamilton’s future.

    Also see ‘Reasons for proposal’ above.

  • Option 2: (status quo)

    Do not change the classification of part of Lake Domain Reserve.

    This would mean:

    • The IAF reservoir project cannot move to the next phase.
    • Council would need to look into less appropriate locations for the water infrastructure, which would cause significant delays.
    • Council may risk meeting key milestones tied to the IAF funding, which would put the funding for the project as risk.

Next steps

Council staff will collect and analyse all feedback at the close of the submission period.

The analysis of this feedback will be presented to the relevant Committee meeting (date to be confirmed). At this meeting, submitters who want to speak to their written submission will be able to do so.

The Council will then consider all the views and make a decision.