The Railway Land Action Group was formed in late 1992 in response to a Palmerston North City Council proposal to build a new Polytechnic on what is now known as the Railway Land. This land, in two blocks, was left vacant after the railway line was moved out of the City in the 1960s. The Action groups campaign succeeded when the Polytechnic withdrew their proposal.
Since this time the Action Group has campaigned to keep the Railway Land as open green space in public ownership. Over the years we opposed a number of building proposals for the land but supported the construction of a Skate Park. Beginning in 2002, the group lost part of the battle when the Council sold one block to The Warehouse Ltd for the construction of a megastore. The remaining block has since been rezoned “Recreation” with a limit on building size. We now await this remaining site being vested in Council as a Reserve.
The Group became an Incorporated Society in September 2002. We are made up of a committee, members of the Incorporated Society, and a database of hundreds of supporters. We take an interest in green space issues in general and over the years have made a large number of submissions on related matters. Recently we were successful in opposing a Bill which would have seen the Reserve protection being lifted on a block of Council owned park land on the corner of Park Road and Fitzherbert Avenue (site of the former Manawatu Bowling Club).
(a) To preserve the “Railway Land” (former railways marshalling yards and steam engine maintenance depot in the centre of Palmerston North, acquired by the Palmerston North City Council for civic purposes) as open green space for the enjoyment of all citizens.
(b) To promote an ethic of wise environmental stewardship and care, sustainability, public amenity, public ownership of community assets, heritage and aesthetic values, either
alone or in cooperation with any other person or persons, or any firm, organisation or department of government.(c) To achieve these objects through education, publications, press releases, newsletters, distributing leaflets, petitions, submissions to the Palmerston North City Council and other authorities, (both as part of formal consultation processes and otherwise), and advocacy in the public domain.
(d) To cooperate with any person or persons, firm, local authority or organisation with similar objects or willing to support these objects.
(e) To promote, or support legislation, regulations or by-laws having these or similar objects in view.
(f) To oppose any proposed legislation or other measure which may be contrary to these objects.
View the complete list of Objects and Powers of the Railway Land Action Group (Inc.)
Palmerston North City Council Elections 2007 – Questions to Candidates from the Railway Land Action Group Inc. (Word doc)
Results of a survey of Palmerston North City Council election candidates on their proposed appraoch to select green spaces in the city.Photo Gallery
View pictures of green spaces the Railway Land Action Group has been flighting to save.Palmerston North Reserves Empowering Amendment Bill
This article explains the background to the Council's attempt to sell the land and lift its Reserve protection, and the subsequent withdrawal of the Bill after repesentations to a Select Committee of Parliament.
Railway
Land Action Group Chair
Marilyn Bulloch
P O Box 7097
Palmerston North
Phone (06) 357 7338
Email: [email protected]