Volume One 9. Public Access and Open Space Given the wide range of purposes, it can be challenging at times to ensure there are suitable open space areas available to meet all of the needs of the community. Influences that can affect the ability to ensure there is adequate open space include urban intensification, with smaller section size potentially resulting in the loss of environmental quality, including opportunity for large trees and recreation areas. Changing recreation patterns through increased population can also result in changes in the type, location and number of open space areas required. Marlborough is fortunate to have vast areas of open space in public ownership, such as those in the Marlborough Sounds or along the major rivers on the Wairau Plain, with relatively easy access for most in the community. However, it is important to ensure the public open space network is well managed so that the characteristics of these open spaces remain highly valued by the community in terms of particular conservation, recreation and/or landscape values. In this regard it is important to acknowledge the significant community resource that is provided through the open space network of reserves around Marlborough. An equally important factor in managing open space areas is that other statutes, such as the Reserves Act 1977, also have a significant role in the control of land with reserve status. The Council recognises that the management of reserve land is a responsibility under the RMA. However, because management of the resources contained within reserve land also comes under the control of both the Conservation Act 1987 and the Reserves Act 1977, it is important that management processes are not repeated in the Marlborough Environment Plan (MEP). To this end, the management framework within the MEP deals with those matters not covered by other legislation. This includes management of the following: • any off-site effects of land uses extending beyond the boundary of the reserve area; • significant on-site effects of activities such as discharges, water takes and disturbance to the beds of lakes and rivers; • the effects on the values of reserve land from activities on neighbouring lands; and • the use of reserve land for activities not related to the reserves purpose. [RPS, C, D] Objective 9.3 – A wide range of reserves and open space areas are available that contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of residents and visitors. The existing network of reserves of varying types and open space areas, including the coastal marine area, make a significant contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of residents and visitors to Marlborough. It is important to ensure that this continues to be the case for future generations. [RPS, C, D] Policy 9.3.1 – Ensure that open space areas and recreational facilities are equitably distributed and conveniently located throughout Marlborough. Accessibility and distribution of open spaces and recreational facilities around the District is important. An equitable distribution is important in achieving convenience of access to open space and recreational opportunities, recognising the particular role or function of the open space or recreational facility in meeting the differing needs of the community. With respect to local parks, distribution is especially important as these areas are particularly used by the less mobile sectors of the community, including young children and the elderly. Sports areas also need to be accessible, though it is recognised that part of the organised sport experience involves travelling to different areas of the District to compete. 9 – 11