Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Firstly the implementation of policy measures including land use planning initiatives to concentrate the development of Blenheim around existing planned areas. Also included are travel demand management measures, promoting where possible public transport as well as walking and cycling in accordance with the Walking and Cycling Strategy. Secondly a range of physical measures to improve safety or to reduce any unacceptable delays at key intersections. Also included is consideration of possible Bypass routes to the east of Blenheim and it has been flagged from the traffic model that the capacity of State highway 1 particularly the Sinclair Street roundabouts. In addition it is recommended that traffic management within the Blenheim CBD be considered. 1.4.4.1 Council Studies Marlborough District Council has completed several studies into the future development of the Region and the potential economic effects including; Marlborough Townships and Small Settlements Growth Study, July 2007 Blenheim Urban Strategy Northern Marlborough Growth Strategy Southern Marlborough Growth Strategy Parking study Council is also commencing to development of Network Accessibility Plans for its various communities. These will focus on issues ranging from strategic issues such as accessibility to public transport through to operational issues such as addressing levels of security of footpaths in specific areas. These will need to be incorporated into future updates of this Asset Activity Management Plan where they need to exceed current level of service. Where possible this plan makes allowance for expected levels of service. 1.4.4.2 Viticulture Development Viticulture has seen significant growth over the past 15 years and now dominates the lowland sections of the Wairau and Awatere Valley. Traditional agriculture and horticulture land use is under increasing pressure from the potential high returns of viticulture and are now generally limited to land not viable for grapes. Figure 4.2.2: Viticulture Growth 1.4.4.3 Tourism / Local Recreational Activity The Marlborough region, in particular the Marlborough Sounds, is renowned as an area of natural beauty in New Zealand. The Sounds are approximately 10% of New Zealand’s total coastline length with numerous bays and waterways. The other main focus of tourism is the viticultural development and associated wineries/restaurants. Marlborough promotes itself as “the gourmet province”. Other tourism related activities include high profile rural accommodation and access to the Nelson Lakes National park for fishing, skiing, hunting and other alpine pursuits. 30 September 2014 Page 19 of Section 1