Section 4: Demand Assessment Ministry of Tourism figures show total visits by travellers to Marlborough are forecast to rise from 1.533 million in 2009 to 1.596 million in 2016 - an increase of 4.1% (63,000) or 0.6% p.a. International visits are expected to increase from 370,000 in 2009 to 453,000 in 2016, representing growth of 83,000 or 22.3%. The share of total visits generated by international visitors is expected to increase from 24.2% to 28.4%. Domestic visits are expected to decrease from 1.163 million in 2009 to 1.143 million in 2016, representing a contraction of 20,000 or 1.7%. The share of total visits generated by domestic visitors is expected to decrease from 75.8% to 71.6%. 4.3.3 Infrastructure advancements Technology associated with reserve provision is advancing at an ever-increasing rate. An example of this is artificial sport surfaces which allow for far greater use therefore rather than providing more soil fields’ investment in artificial surfaces can provide more play hours. Areas that have been identified through the Marlborough outdoor sports facility plan for artificial surfaces are Lansdowne Park and A&P Park. Research both internationally and nationally proves the benefits and efficiencies of shared use of facilities both in relation to fields and sport park buildings. Endeavour Park Pavilion and the Renwick Domain Pavilion are good examples of this sports shared use concept. Council will work with the Awatere community to develop a similar model as part of the Awatere hall upgrade project. Multiple users of park facilities’ increases the viability of community/sporting facilities for their local community. 4.3.4 Industry standards Changing industry standards has an impact on Reserves provision. Playground matting is a good current example of this. Provision has been made in the LTP for 10 yearly replacement of playground matting to meet industry standards. As new standards get introduced staff need to be aware and budget accordingly. 4.3.5 National legislation National legislation in regards to earthquake strengthening requirements of public buildings has had major impact on budgets and work programmes for the Reserves section. The Local Government amendment Bill requiring changes to development contribution will have influences on provision of facilities for Council. It is expected that provision of Capital development on reserves will require greater rating funding. This may influence decisions to invest. Agreements with the Ministry of Education for shared use facilities have been subject to policy change requiring a greater level of local authority funding. The testing of (HAIL) Hazard Activity Industries List sites has implications for developments on Reserves particularly Sports Parks. The additional cost of soil testing and potential treatment will need to be considered along with project costs. 4.3.6 Sports Programming Sports have traditionally been played on Saturday mornings and sports codes have had their “traditional” training nights. With multi-use provision being the preferred model, codes are going to have to collaborate with others and may need to change from traditional practise and game nights. 4.3.7 Cemetery Use Demand for cemetery space is linked to three main drivers: • Percentage of population interred; residential or non-residential Page 52