Rural-Residential Land Use Strategy Discussion Document - May

Transport systems:
• increasing reliance on the private motor car
• dependence on fossil fuels for transportation (for household use, primary production industries and
freighting of goods)
• limited public transport options
• existing poor pedestrian and cycle linkages between communities and rural residential developments.
Population change:
• high turnover of sections in some rural residential areas
• succession planning for retiring farmers
• potential for land parcels, suitable for production, to be taken up for other purposes through subdivision
and development
• potential increases in the cost of fuel and housing
If the future form and development of rural settlements and rural land subdivision is not comprehensively
addressed, these trends could result in residents in rural areas finding it more difficult to provide for their
social and economic well-being, into the future.
Understanding rural residential demand
1. Living in the country is growing in popularity. Please indicate why you think people shift to rural areas?
• to be self-sufficient in food/reduce your environmental footprint
• for the children – have a pony and space to run around
• run a few animals
• afforestation for carbon trading
• privacy
• isolation
• quality of the rural landscape
• intensification of the urban environment
• other
2. If you are a resident in the rural area, please indicate what is the most important reason for living in
the country?
3. How much land is required for rural-residential living?
• large lot (2500m2 – 5000m 2 )
• small rural lot (one hectare)
• lifestyle (two - four hectares)
• smallholding farmlet (four or more hectares)
• other.
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