Infrastructure Strategy Council policy is not to fund depreciation of the community halls and an assortment of The cultural significance of the Wairau Bar settlement in New Zealand history is management practices have evolved by individual communities. Not all structures have becoming more apparent as more archaeological evidence is discovered. There may been assessed for earthquake resilience. Strengthening works would need to be be increasing pressure for investment in a permanent facility to recognise and display incorporated into a cohesive management plan. the artefacts for the site. Parks and Reserves Cemeteries and Memorials The Council has three premier parks (Pollard Park, Seymour Square and Picton The council administers eight cemeteries with a combined area of around 37 hectares. Foreshore) and around 91 neighbourhood parks. The premier parks not only provide a Population projections show the proportion of the population over 65 is likely to service for the local community but, increasingly, an attraction for visitors. increase from its current level of around 20% to 35%. Increased demand for burial Neighbourhood parks provide playground areas which are likely to become more space may require additional land purchases and development investment and frequented as property section sizes decease. For these reasons the level of service operational costs. However there is evidence of a trend towards greater cremation. for these assets is likely to be maintained into the foreseeable future. The introduction of the Cemeteries Bylaw in 2017 has provided the option to pre- purchase up to two cemetery plots per application. Management plans have been Other Facilities developed for many of the regions cemeteries to assist future planning. Changes are expected to be accommodated without significant investment. Similarly walkways, cycleways, public toilets and freedom camping facilities are increasingly used by visitors to the area. Tourism is an important and growing part of The community expect cemeteries and memorials to be maintained to a high standard. the economy. There will be continuing demand to expand and upgrade the facilities Deterioration to this level of service is unlikely to be acceptable provided and maintain a high level of service for the benefit of local community and visitors Landfill Libraries The council has a single active landfill site at Bluegums to south of Blenheim. The site A new library has recently been constructed in Picton and plans have advanced for a has functioned since 1996 and receives around 40,000 tonnes of refuse per annum. new library for Blenheim. Based on the current rates of waste production the site has a life expectancy to 2063. The libraries will be in new, modern buildings designed to the latest standards with It is filled in managed stages currently working on Stage 7 of 13. Growth in waste updated fittings and facilities. The main infrastructure is designed and built to last production is related to population, industrial activity and, to a lesser extent, the beyond the 30 year strategy but advances in technology may make some of the diversion of refuse to be reuse or recycled. facilities obsolete or require significant re-investment. It is difficult to predict the The site is tightly managed to meet the regulatory requirements for land use, leachate implications of new technology but the strategy ensures the new structures are as and gas emissions. There is continuous pressure to improve environmental standards flexible as possible to adapt to changing service requirements in a way that will allow and solid waste is conspicuous evidence of human impact on the environment. the long term durability of the assets. Increasing regulation and monitoring is expected and plans have been prepared Museums and Cultural Facilities accordingly. The main Marlborough museum located at Brayshaw Park and several smaller The above factors are managed through the continued update of the activity museums and art galleries at Havelock, Renwick, Picton, etc. There is unlikely to be a management plans and are unlikely to cause major shocks within the current planning major shift in the strategic management of these facilities. However, a change in level horizon. of service may be anticipated to embrace modern technology. Museum visitors now expect inter-active displays and high quality presentation materials. Conversion of Current operational plans may be disrupted by major natural hazards. A large archive material to digital formats and other operational costs can be expected. The earthquake would generate additional waste stream and may damage the structural smaller facilities may face premature technical obsolescence or expensive upgrade. integrity of the Bluegums Landfill site. Fire within the landfill is another risk that could adversely affect the longevity of the site. Awareness of these risks assists the design, construction and operation of the site to manage the risk to an acceptable level. 2018-2028 Long Term Plan Page 214