Regional Parks Management Plan Regional Parks Management Plan

4. Pressures Pressures Pressures and and challenges
challenges
The Auckland region is changing. The population of the Auckland region continues to grow,
affecting the demographic, social and economic environment of the region. This will place
pressures on existing public open space and is likely to change the demands on public open
space in the region. There is, as a result of the pressures and changes in society and the
pressures of urban development, also a need to continue to acquire and protect the region’s
outstanding landscapes and ecosystems from the threat of development (refer to section
2.3 Future regional parks). The pressures and changes are:
4.1 Socio Socio-economic
Socio economic
Population Population growth
growth
In 2010 the Auckland region contained over 1.3 million people and is expected to reach two
million by 2036. The majority of the regional population lives in the urban areas with less
personal open space. This urban intensification has resulted in pressure on existing public
open spaces and increased demand for more public open space closer to the urban
populations. It has also placed greater pressure on the regional parks as visitor numbers
increase and the range of visitor expectations change.
Demographic Demographic changes
changes
The population is aging overall but is also trending to a high proportion of young people
under the age of 15 years in some parts of the region. The ethnic composition of the
population is becoming more diverse. One third of Aucklanders were born overseas. This
trend is anticipated to continue and will create demands for different forms of recreation
and new ways of using open space. It also raises the need to help new migrants to learn
about the parks, to fully enjoy the park experiences, and to understand and respect the
environment of the parks and the region’s coastline. These demographic changes will give
rise to different recreation demands for people with differing needs and abilities.
Economic Economic chang changes chang chang es
Changes in work patterns have meant that many people have less discretionary time
available for leisure pursuits. These changes have resulted in demand for a greater range of
easily accessible activities close to where people live and work. It has also created a
demand to undertake a number of activities at the one location. On the other hand,
increases in the level of unemployment can mean that many people do not have disposable
income and will seek low-cost recreational opportunities close where they live.
The parks provide locations for recreation activity, events, tourism and filming; all of which
are major contributors to the regional economy. However, there is also growing demand for
economic activity on the parks, arising from activities such as commercial filming and
tourism. It is important that these pressures do not result in exploitation of the parks at the
expense of maintaining their values.
Cost Cost of of travel travel
travel
The cost of living is increasing, especially the cost of transport. Research shows that the
lack of public transport and the cost of private transport are reasons some people do not
visit some regional parks. However, visitors to the regional parks predominantly use private
vehicles. This creates the demand to provide car parking that can impact on the parks
natural and landscape values, and adds to the cost of developing and managing the parks.
There is a need, therefore, to consider managing travel by private vehicles to regional parks,
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Regional Parks Management Plan 2010