New Zealand walking and cycling strategies – best practice

Print version: New Zealand walking and cycling strategies (PDF, 2.9 MB)

6. Internet survey of New Zealand local and regional councils

An internet-based survey of all New Zealand’s local (74) and regional (12) councils was undertaken in August 2004. The survey was sent by email link to key staff of all local and regional governments in New Zealand. The survey is reproduced in Appendix 12. The researchers were trying to reach people responsible for developing and maintaining walking and cycling strategies.

The purpose of the survey was to learn about a number of aspects behind the strategies that generally could not be found by analysing the strategies themselves. It was also hoped that the views of those councils who did not have walking or cycling strategies (or their key staff) could be canvassed. There were 55 responses. These came from 53 councils out of 86 (62%), and include all but three of the 30 councils that have strategies.

The survey identified that 26 of the 55 responses (47%) were from staff of councils that did not have strategies, while 7 related to walking strategies (13%), 17 related to cycling strategies (31%) and 8 related to combined strategies (15%). These data are shown in Figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1 - Respondents’ strategy types

Approximately half of the strategies were said to be available on the internet, as shown in Figure 6.2. (In fact, almost all of the newer strategies are on the internet.)

Figure 6.2 - Availability of strategies on the internet

Most strategies were published during 2003 and 2004, as shown in Figure 6.3.

Figure 6.3 - Publication year of strategy

Most of the strategies reviewed were the first version of the strategy from a particular council and are likely to be revised over the next few years. The results to this question of the survey are contained in Figure 6.4.

Figure 6.4 - Number of previous versions of strategy

All but three strategies were expected by staff to be reviewed within five years, as shown in Figure 6.5.

Figure 6.5 - Year of next strategy review

In response to the question “who published the strategy?”, almost all respondents identified “the council”, although a consultant published one strategy on behalf of a council.

Most strategies were prepared “mostly by council staff” as shown in Figure 6.6.

Figure 6.6 - Preparer of strategy

Respondents were asked to identify how much money they spent externally (consultants, publication, etc.) preparing their strategies. The responses were fairly evenly divided with six spending less than $2,000; six spending between $20,000 and $40,000, and four each spending between $2,000 and $5,000; between $10,000 and $20,000, and over $40,000. These results are shown in Figure 6.7.

Figure 6.7 - External strategy preparation costs

Of the 24 responses to this question, external strategy costs are estimated to average around $20,000 per strategy.

Most councils spent between $5,000 and $20,000 internally on strategy development, as illustrated in Figure 6.8.

Figure 6.8 - Internal strategy preparation costs

Average internal costs for strategy development are estimated at around $12,000 per strategy for the 26 responses received.

Total costs for strategy preparation have been estimated by combining internal and external costs. Estimated total costs are as shown in Figure 6.9, with an average cost estimated at $31,000 (based on 26 responses).

Figure 6.9 - Estimated total strategy preparation costs

Most respondents felt that there was room for improvement in how well strategies were integrated with capital works and maintenance budgets and other expenditure programmes, as illustrated in Figure 6.10.

Figure 6.10 - Integration of strategy with expenditure

Among the 31 respondents to the question, a preference was expressed for separate walking or cycling strategies (42%) over combined walking and cycling strategies (32%), as shown in Figure 6.11, although 26% had no preference or opinion.

Figure 6.11 - Preferences for separate or combined strategies

Among 54 respondents to this question, 25 (46%) did not intend to develop a walking and/or cycling strategy during the next year, as shown in Figure 6.12. But of these, 11 already had both walking and cycling strategies or a combined strategy and 6 had either a walking or cycling strategy. Put another way, of the 26 councils who responded to the survey and did not have strategies (from Figure 6.1), 17, or 65%, intended to develop strategies during the next year.

Figure 6.12 - Intention to develop a strategy within next year

Respondents were asked to identify the strengths of their strategies. Survey respondents felt that the strength of their walking or cycling strategy was that it formalised and promoted walking and cycling within the council and the wider community. The strategies were beneficial in bringing together key stakeholders and in assembling walking and cycling data in one place. These views are documented in Appendix 13.

Respondents were asked what they would do differently if they were preparing their strategies again. Generally respondents would widen the scope of their strategy. This might be through inclusion of both walking and cycling (rather than just one), or the addition of more content covering health, recreation, travel demand management, or data. Better public consultation was also identified as an area for improvement. Responses to this question are contained in Appendix 14.

 

< previous | next >

Page created: 7 October 2008