I’ll have a clean, green and accessible region please!

Aucklanders rate the region’s environment, parks and open space highly in contrast to their opinion on the region’s transport according to a recent survey undertaken by the Auckland Regional Council and the region’s seven local councils.

When asked what they considered to be most important for the Auckland region, the clear majority of those who responded said that a clean and healthy environment (44.6% of respondents) was of primary importance. This was followed closely by a region that is easy to get around (32.2%), and clean rivers, seas and beaches (27%).

The survey has also shown that people throughout the region do not just want an environment that is clean and healthy with parks and open spaces. They also want a region that has a robust economy, offers affordable housing and is home to skilled and educated communities.

In addition to indicating levels of importance to 13 different areas (covering a range of areas including cultural diversity, transport, opportunities and the environment), respondents were also asked to ‘rate’ the region on performance in these areas.

Across the region, transport was the area that was rated by respondents as the lowest performing, with an average ranking of 4.4 (out of a possible 10, with 10 being perfect). In contrast respondents thought that the region is performing well in terms of parks and open spaces (average rating of 7.4), recreational opportunities and sporting and cultural events (both with 6.9).

By combining the results on levels of importance and current performance, councils are able to identify areas that require the most attention to achieve the outcomes the wider community would like.

ARC Chairman, Michael Lee says that it is pleasing to see such a good response to the survey and results reinforce that while the region faces numerous challenges, there are also a number of great things about the region.

“The fact that over 3000 people took the time to complete the survey demonstrates that people on the whole really do care about the overall state of the Auckland region.

“All councils in the region know that we have lots of challenges facing us locally and regionally, but with the support of the wider community we can continue to work toward making the Auckland region a diverse, vibrant place to live.”

Cr Lee says that the survey results also reinforce the findings from the ARC’s Environmental Awareness Survey completed earlier this year, which also sought people’s views on the key environmental issues impacting the region.

The survey was published as part of The Auckland Region – Working Together for a Better Future’, which was distributed to households across the region in early September. A full report outlining the results in detail is available online at www.arc.govt.nz.

The feedback received will be used by the region’s councils to help identify community outcomes (these are what you want for yourself, your community and the wider region – now and in the future). Results will also contribute to changes to local and regional planning documents (the Regional Policy Statement and local District Plans), and a review of the Regional Land Transport Strategy.

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