Help us plan the future of your regional parks
22 October 2009

The ARC is reviewing the way it manages regional parks and wants to know what you think. The draft Regional Parks Management Plan (RPMP) has now been notified and public submissions will close on 23 December 2009.

The RPMP sets out the ‘big picture’ for managing regional parkland in the Auckland region. It guides how parks are managed on a daily basis and into the future and covers everything that happens on parks.

Cr Sandra Coney, Chair of the ARC Parks and Heritage Committee, says that the Council has tried to take into account all of the demands that a fast growing region may make on regional parkland over the next ten years.

“We have focussed on creating a plan that allows for future recreation needs while protecting the intrinsic value of these 23 regional parks,” she says. “We now need the public’s help to tell us whether we’ve got this balance right.”

In preparing the draft, the ARC has focussed on strengthening its management vision, principles and values, and an increased focus on the importance of biodiversity in our parks.

“The ARC’s draft Regional Parks Management Plan is not extravagant,” says Cr Coney. “We have been careful to make it realistic in terms of affordability and practical to implement.”

The plan also proposes providing for increased demand for camping, campervans, bach accommodation, horse riding, mountain biking and recreational bike riding across the regional parks network.

It is structured in two volumes: volume one sets out the network-wide management policies and details the individual park actions, and volume two contains the maps. The plan will be accompanied by an online Resource Inventory that can be updated as required.

The plan has also been updated to reflect the five new parks that have been acquired since the last RPMP was completed in 2004.

Main changes in the draft RPMP 2009

• an extended life from five to ten years, and developed with the 20-50 year horizon in mind
• two volumes instead of three and covering 23 regional parks
• better explains the relationship between protection of, and public access to, the environment and heritage of the Auckland region
• highlights the importance of the ethics of stewardship and kaitiakitanga
• increased focus on recreation and use management, including camping, campervans, baches, horse-riding, multi-day trails, mountain biking, designated sites, discretionary and prohibited activities
• new policies on (for example) the park ranger service, smoke-free parks, art on parks, safety and security, vehicles on beaches and transport.
• strengthened policies on disability access, alcohol-related behaviour, education, interpretation, volunteering and partnerships

The draft RPMP can be read or downloaded from the ARC website at www.arc.govt.nz/parks/parksprojects-and-plans, you can contact the ARC on 09 366 2000 for a CD with both volumes of the document or hard copies are available at the ARC’s Pitt St office, park sector offices and libraries (all locations are listed below).

A consultation guide and submission forms can be downloaded from the ARC website www.arc.govt.nz and submissions must be received by 4.00pm on Wednesday 23 December 2009.

Email to: parksplan@arc.govt.nz

Post to: Group Manager Visitor Services and Assets
Auckland Regional Council
Private Bag 92012
Auckland

For inquiries, please email parksplan@arc.govt.nz or phone Cleo Bergin on 09 366 2000 x8647.
Submitters can request to be heard in support of their submission. It is anticipated that the hearings will be held in late February or early March 2010.

The Regional Parks Management Plan does not apply to the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Mt Smart Stadium or Mutukaroa Hamlins Hill. These are covered by separate management plans.

ENDS

Where to read the current or the draft RPMP
Both the current RPMP and the draft RPMP are available to read on the ARC website www.arc.govt.nz/parks/parksprojects-and-plans

Alternatively, hard copies of both documents can be read at the following locations:
• ARC office , 21 Pitt Street, Central City (8.30am – 5.00pm weekdays)
• Arataki Visitor Centre, Scenic Drive, Titirangi (10.00am - 4.00pm weekdays and 9.00am - 5.00pm weekends)
• Southern sector office, Unit 303, Corsair Lane, Ardmore Airport, (10am – 4.00pm weekdays)
• Northern Sector office, Couldrey House, Wenderholm Regional Park (10am – 4.00pm)
• Auckland Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre - Huakaiwaka, Hill Road, Manurewa (8.00am – 4.00pm weekdays and 9.00am - 4.00pm weekends).
• Park offices at the following regional parks during opening hours: Muriwai, Omana, Waharau and Whakanewha.

You can also read the draft RPMP at the following libraries:
Central City, Clevedon, Kumeu, Huapai, Mahurangi, Mangere Bridge, Maraetai, Orere Point, Piha, Pukekohe, Takapuna, Titirangi, Warkworth, Waiheke Island, Wellsford, Whangaparoa

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