Wellington Regional Strategy

As part of this economic development strategy, there is considerable recognition of the importance that  open space plays in sustainable economic growth. The Open Space project is part of the work being done to ensure there is investment in good regional form. By identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in our public space network, this action area will help to identify where greatest regional benefit could be gained through collective action.

Quality of life is an important factor which compliments economic growth. Quality open space is a fundamental requirement of world class cities and regions. By having great parks, well connected walking tracks, and high quality natural areas close to our doorstep, the region will be better placed to ensure its success as an attractive and sustainable region while meeting the needs of the community and visitors.

Open spaces provide a wide-ranging contribution to the promotion of individual and community health and social inclusion assisting with economic prosperity. Four of the WRS community outcomes link to a quality regional open space network. These include:
• Healthy Community
• Sense of Place
• Quality Lifestyle
• Healthy Environment

The proposed Wellington Regional Policy Statement (2009) also recognises the importance of compact, well designed sustainable regional form through integrated public open spaces.

The Open Spaces Working Group is a sub-group of SORT (senior council officers resource team) and is comprised of members representing the region's territorial authorities, Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Queen Elizabeth II Trust, and iwi representation. The working group is being jointly led by the Wellington Regional Strategy office and by Greater Wellington Regional Council. The project  is being championed by David Benham, CEO of Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Main outcome of this workstream

A Wellington regional open space strategy (to 2025) and action plan (2009-2012) has been developed.

The strategy will ensure that:

1. There is a coordinated approach for the development, management and protection of open space across the Wellington region;
2. There is collaboration across provider and partner organisations so that resources and solutions are shared and exchanged;
3. Opportunities and mechanisms to enhance the regional network are identified across the provider organisations;
4. There are improved outcomes and greater efficiencies across the regions’ open space providers;
5. There is consistent spatial data collection and management across the region;
6. Members of the public are well informed about the Wellington regional open space network; &
7. The needs of the Wellington community are well met.

Open Spaces Information Hub

An open spaces information hub has been established (click on the link above). The infomation hub has been set up to provide a range of links to regional, national and international open spaces related websites. The information hub also provides WRS Open Spaces newsletters which are distributed bi-monthly through an email forum, and which inform about projects and challenges experienced by open space providers in the Wellington region.

Open Spaces Forum 2010

A regional Open Spaces Forum was held on 27th July 2010 at Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua. This was a very successful event with about seventy attendees from across the region, including open space practitioners, rangers, managers and consultants. Please click on the link above to download the agenda, abstracts and powerpoint presentations.

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