ANNUAL REPORT December 2005 – November 2006 DIRECTORS REPORT December 2005 – November 2006 Since the Annual General meeting in December last year, there has been a rapid expansion in the activities of Living Streets Aotearoa (LSA). The organisation has consolidated and matured over the year, and I would like to thank the Executive Council for their hard work. Some of the highlights of the year have been: ? The successful completion of the Community Street Review project ? Production and launch of the Newtown Walking Map ? Development of WalkIT, the Walking Resources database ? Further funding for the National Networking project ? Integration of Walk Wellington operation into Living Streets Aotearoa Projects Health Sponsorship Council (HSC) Last year Living Streets Aotearoa signed two contracts with the HSC for walking initiatives arising from the Getting There - on foot, by cycle strategy. These were the Community Street Reviews project, and the National Networking project. This year further contracts were signed for additional projects. ? Community Street Reviews The second set of three trial community street reviews were carried out in April 2006, with Lily Linton co- ordinating the project. The rating forms were further refined and the project report completed and handed over. We are now liaising with Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) over the printing of the “How to run community street reviews” handbook. ? Walking Resources Database This project is to develop a resource database of information on walking promotion initiatives for the walking sector, in essence a one-stop shop of information on walking for walking stakeholders. Brent Efford has been managing the project, with the technical work being contracted to Wellington 2020. At present the database is in prototype form, with about 1000 data items. It will go live in December this year. LSA is being contracted to maintain the Database until it is handed over to LTNZ in June 2007. ? Walking Maps The Walking Maps project was managed by HSC. They developed two school walking maps, and contracted LSA to develop a community walking map in Newtown. Mike Mellor managed this project, and the Newtown Walking Map was launched in October 2006. A grant from the Wellington City Council Community Grants covered the printing costs of the map. Mike also worked on the Community Walking Map Toolbox, which is now available to help community groups develop their own walking maps. ? National Networking The national networking project is to develop a network of walking stakeholders and user groups. The project started last year and funding has been continued to June 2007. A handbook for Walking User Groups has been developed, and work is underway to set up new groups in Hamilton, Dunedin and Manukau, and to strengthen existing groups in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. A draft three year Walking Network Development plan has been developed. Other projects ? LTNZ Walkability project LTNZ is developing a database of walkability that includes pedestrian ratings of routes as well as measurement of physical and operational characteristics of the routes. LSA has carried out six community street reviews with mobility and vision impaired participants as part of this project. Working with our partners ? “Getting There” strategy and funding LSA has been part of the Getting There – on foot, by cycle national committee, convened by the Ministry of transport and Land Transport New Zealand, which has been developing the Strategic Implementation Plan 2006-2009. At the beginning of the year there was a possibility that funding for the walking initiatives through the HSC would be discontinued. LSA worked with HSC and the Cycle Advocacy network (CAN) to advocate for continuation of the funding. This was successful. ? SPARC Living Streets has been recognised by SPARC as an organisation that contributes to the physical activity environment and activity of New Zealanders. This means that SPARC will provide us with a number of support services including business development resources, links with other organisations through their networks, information, research, peer review and advisory services. Gaining recognition is the first step in seeking investment funding from SPARC sometime in the future. ? Regional Public Health We would like to acknowledge support from Regional Public Health for providing a person to produce Footprints, our quarterly newsletter, and to provide secretarial support and assistance with our databases. Walking Conferences This year we have been fortunate to have had the international walking conference, Walk21, on our doorstep in Melbourne. LSA worked closely with the Walk21 steering group to ensure that as many New Zealanders as possible presented papers and attended Walk21. The New Zealand Walking conference, organised by LSA, was timed to follow the conference in Melbourne, to take advantage of visiting speakers and delegates. Submissions LSA has submitted on a number of issues including the Vehicle Exhaust Emissions rule, Transit Policy Planning Manual Supplement and the Select Inquiry on Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, local groups have submitted on their Council and Regional Councils’ long term community plans, and other issues Walk Wellington Last year the Walk Wellington operation was integrated into LSA. A sub-committee has been set up to manage the operation, and this year has seen consolidation of the working relationship. Walk Wellington is continuing to offer guided walks for a growing number of Wellington visitors and residents. More guides are being recruited to handle daily guided walks over the summer season, including walks for cruise ship passengers. Administration We continue to enjoy office space leased from HSC, and since September have been sharing the office with the Simon Kennet, employed by CAN to develop cycling user groups. This arrangement is proving very beneficial to both parties. Lily Linton has been employed by LSA on a part-time basis to co-ordinate community street reviews and to provide administrative support. Liz Thomas