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Resolution
number WTK/2024/208
MOVED by Member M
Allen, seconded by Member L Manley:
That the
Waitākere Ranges Local Board:
a)
whakarite / provide
the following feedback on the proposed policies in Manaaki Tāmaki
Makaurau, the draft Auckland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy, for
consideration by the Policy and Planning Committee:
i)
tautoko / support
in principle the four objectives of Policy 1: Making the most of our open
spaces, i.e.
· Increase the range of benefits our open spaces
network delivers consistent with each space’s primary purpose
· Improve the quality of our open spaces
· Improve our network to provide diverse
recreation opportunities accessible to all Aucklanders
· Improve open spaces’ accessibility and
functionality by prioritising connections and linkages across all types of
open space
ii)
recommend adding
commentary within ‘Policy 1’ to reflect changing community needs
in areas with apartment buildings and terraced housing for parks to provide
functions people previously had in their back yards eg play space for
children, space for people to be outside, vegetable gardens and orchards,
exercise for pets.
iii)
recommend adding a
fifth objective for environmental outcomes for conservation open space to
protect habitat, biodiversity and landscapes.
iv)
recommend that the
strategy include discussion and guidance on prioritising environmental
outcomes over recreational activities where increasing access is not
appropriate.
v)
recommend that the
strategy make clear that trade-off decisions for the use of local parks sits
with local boards. Stormwater management has been elevated as a key function
of open space in the draft strategy, and while supporting the concept of
‘making space for water’, do not support local boards being
reduced to a stakeholder role.
vi)
tautoko / support
in principle the objectives of Policy 2: Open space provision and
acquisition, i.e.
· plan for the provision of a high-quality open
space network that keeps pace with growth and celebrates our cultural
landscapes.
· ensure the acquisition of fit for purpose open
space land that provides value for money and is sustainable in the
long-term.
vii) do not support the provision standards in
Tables 9 and 10 as they are overly prescriptive and inflexible.
viii) recommend open space provision for housing
development being strengthened in the Unitary Plan.
ix)
recommend including
policies on gifting / bequeathing and the transfer of land into the open
space network to expand on the means of acquisition set out in Table 18.
x)
acquiring or
retaining large tracts of land still available for open space within urban
areas should be a priority, for example, Avondale Racecourse in west
Auckland.
xi)
do not support a
provision standard (Table 9) for new regional parks being based on a 20 km
distance from new housing areas. Recommend aligning the criteria for regional
parks provision to the vision and purpose of regional parks described in the
Regional Parks Management Plan 2022.
xii) tautoko / support reconfiguring,
redistributing or redeveloping open spaces rather than disposing of them on a
case-by-case basis.
xiii) tautoko / support Option Package 2 – provide more open
space than currently enabled in high- and medium-density areas where
residents have low or moderate levels of provision.
xiv) tautoko / support in principle the three
objectives of Policy 3: Auckland Council’s investment in play, sport
and recreation, namely:
· increase physical activity levels by targeting
our investment to low-participating communities and addressing disparities
· deliver a fit for purpose, future proofed
facility network that makes the most of what we have
· strengthen partnerships with mana whenua and
mataawaka, local communities and other sport and recreation providers
xv) tono / request that planning for good
community and environmental outcomes be the main focus of the Open Space,
Sport and Recreation Strategy, ie: while providing value for money, saving
money should not be an outcome in an open space policy.
xvi) tono / request that staff provide local boards
with advice on the local impacts of the strategy, and the implications for
the boards’ decision-making role as governors, prior to local
boards’ further input.
xvii) tuhi ā-taipitopito / note that parks, and
regional parks in particular, have many other functions beyond those listed
in the draft strategy, for example, protecting Maori cultural sites,
protecting representative landscapes and geological/ecological features eg
wetlands. Forested parks and trees in urban parks have an impact on climate
change. Connections, so people can get around on foot off road. Ecological
linkages as habitat for native species including birds. Allowing people to
experience nature, gain respite in the natural world. Access to the coast and
water-based recreation such as surfing and fishing. There should be a variety
of open space from open space to forested, large to small, developed to
natural, within reach of citizens.
xviii) as well as locating new parks on public
transport routes, the strategy should have an objective that public transport
connections are available for remote parks that are popular visitor
destinations.
CARRIED
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