Green area to stay green

List MP Russell Fairbrother is pleased to announce that the former Pirimai School site in Napier, is to be kept and used by the local community as a green area.

The land has been vacant since October 2007 when the MoE became responsible for the site.

“I am pleased this land is being kept as a green area for the local community. I invited Chris Carter to Napier in June to receive a petition from representatives of the Pirimai Residents Association asking the Napier City Council to acquire land to develop a park and playground for the local community. The way is now paved for this to occur,” said Mr Fairbrother.

Several meetings have been held since that time with groups such as Te Whakakotahitanga Kohanga Reo, Napier City Council, Napier Kindergarten Association, Birthright Hawke’s Bay Child and Family Care and representatives from the community.

Napier City Council now has the option to decide if it wants to express an interest in acquiring a portion of the closed Pirimai School site for reserve purposes. If the council goes ahead with this option, then further discussions will be had.

However, if the council does not wish to acquire the site then the grounds will be subject to subdivision subsequently being approved through the council – however the early childhood sites will remain in Crown ownership.

The ministry can only sell land to the council as long as it is required for a public work and the use of the land as a reserve would meet this criteria.