A new strategy for how Auckland Council plans and delivers open space, sport and recreation has been given the green light by the council’s Policy and Planning Committee.
As a thriving region, Auckland’s population is set to grow by 520,000 over the next 30 years. The strategy plans how the council will keep pace with growing demand by opening up more spaces and creating more opportunities to get active and connect with nature, now and into the future.
Chair of Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning Committee, Councillor Richard Hills says making sure residents have space to get active and enjoy our natural environment is essential for any healthy, growing city.
“In the last Rangahau te Korou o te Ora/Quality of Life Survey, 72% of Auckland residents said their area is a great place to live. Open space, sport and recreation play a part in that. Together, they help us stay healthy, connected and create a sense of belonging, while supporting biodiversity and climate resilience.
“Our city is changing, and the new strategy recognises that we need to do things differently if we want Tāmaki Makaurau to be a green, active and liveable city in years to come.
“Aucklanders support intensification, if it is coupled with good infrastructure and green space. The strategy aims to improve access to a wide range of open spaces and unlocks greater access to smaller parks such as pocket parks, as well walkways along coasts and waterways.
“It will also help us direct future long term plans and budgets to secure funding to acquire and upgrade our parks, reserves and open space,” he says.
Aktive was a major partner in the strategy’s development. Debbie Curgenven, General Manager Strategy, Investment and Services at Aktive says this is a big step forward in ensuring sport and recreation becomes more accessible for all Aucklanders.
“Aktive has a bold vision to make Auckland the world’s most active city, and everyone should have the chance to get moving in a way that works for them. It’s great to see a joined-up approach in this strategy, that’s centred around equity. We’re looking forward to working with local communities and Auckland Council to bring it to life across Tāmaki Makaurau,” Debbie says.
Where we want to take Auckland in the future
The strategy sets out five directions to guide the future of open space, sport and recreation in Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Previously, we’ve planned open space and sport and recreation separately. This refreshed and consolidated strategy brings them together, so that as we think about open space, we also think of the ways people could get active there,” says Cr Hills.
The five directions are:
- Making all of Auckland our backyard by opening up more green, blue and grey spaces, so all communities have equitable access.
- Delivering innovative open spaces in high-density areas by rethinking how we use streets and civic spaces to create vibrant places for connection and activity.
- Enhancing our response to climate disruption with a focus on greener, spongier neighbourhoods.
- Protect and enhance Auckland’s natural environment, biodiversity and heritage through an ecosystem approach that connects people with nature and heritage.
- Support Aucklanders to live healthy, active lives by investing in a range of ways to be active, reducing barriers, and creating inclusive, multi-use spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Targeting opportunities to meet community needs
The strategy focuses on providing opportunities in a fair way. It aims to help achieve the most value by considering population growth and existing park space, so investment can be targeted where demand is the highest.
In urban areas where green space can become more limited, the strategy considers innovative ways to provide this, by reimagining streets and civic spaces so our city becomes greener and people have exciting places to go as part of city living.
Find out more about the strategy, or read the interview with Policy Manager, Carole Canler, on OurAuckland.
