2004 President's Report to Living Streets Aotearoa AGM

 

 

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga iwi. Tena kotou, tena kotou, tena kotou katoa.

 

 

I am delighted at the progress that we have made together since last year's AGM in achieving our key objectives.

 

·                  To promote walking as a healthy, environmentally-friendly and universal means of transport and recreation.

·                  To promote the social and economic benefits of pedestrian-friendly communities.

·                  To work for improved access and conditions for walkers, pedestrians and runners e.g. walking surfaces, traffic flows, speed and safety.

·                  To advocate for greater representation of walker and pedestrian concerns in urban and regional land use and transport planning and, as appropriate, at a national level.

·                  To liaise with other groups, locally, nationally and internationally, to further the objects of the Society.

 

 

Living streets Aotearoa was incorporated in 2002. Members include active walking advocates in Canterbury, Hamilton and Auckland, with numerous contacts, members and inquiries from Whangarei to Dunedin.

 

The energy of our members has produced many discussions, reasoned submissions on strategies, plans and budgets, regionally and nationally. We have kept up with the changes in the government Transport agencies and successfully consolidated working relationships with organisations and individuals in the Transport, Recreation, Health and Local Government sectors.

 

Through the Transfund-led Pedestrian Advisory Group we have had input into the Transport sector changes. We have contributed significantly to the LTSA-led "Pedestrian Network & Facilities Design & Planning Guidelines " project.

 

We have participated in several walking promotions such as Wellington City Council's Stepping Out in March programme.

 

I'm proud of our website, www.livingstreets.org.nz, which is a comprehensive and accessible information source for a range of pedestrian issues, best practice and links to related groups in NZ and overseas.

 

We have also produced the following tangible outcomes.

 

·                  Five Lunchtime Walks brochure, which the 2nd edition of 20 000 is now being distributed, with special thanks to ACC. This brochure won the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for Wellington City in the Sport & Leisure category.

 

·                  Lytellton Map & Signage Project.

 

·                  Our inaugural conference.

 

 

Thanks to our various sponsors, committee members, speakers and supporters for making events and outcomes possible. I'd like to make special mention of members Mike Mellor, Wendy Everingham, Robert Davies, Debs Moir, Ralph Chapman and Bunny Warren. Many others have contributed time, inspiration and support when needed.

 

I look forward to 2005 where I see a strong focus on training and carrying out Community Street Audits, producing a comprehensive range of pedestrian maps, continued advocacy for engineering, education, enforcement and encouragement to local and central government, business and the community on behalf of the wonderful diverse walkers that live, work and play in Aotearoa's towns, cities and rural settlements.

 

Kia kaha

 

Celia Wade-Brown