Auckland Regional Council Media release

Auckland a great place to live according to ARC survey
13 August 2004

74% percent of Aucklanders think the region is a good or great place to live, according to a recent survey undertaken by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC)

Results from the ARC's Environmental Awareness Survey, which canvassed nearly 2,000 people from throughout the region, provide some insight into the things that people both like and dislike about living, working and playing in the Auckland region.

So what does make the Auckland region such a good place to live? Beaches (30% of respondents), the natural environment in general (21%), and good access to parks and open space (19%) top the list of good things, closely followed by employment opportunities and cultural facilities. Traffic congestion (52% of respondents), lack of or poor public transport (19%) and crime (12%) are the three key things that people disliked the most about living in the region. The survey showed that 71% were either very concerned or concerned about the environment in the region. 91% considered the environment to be their responsibility, 83% said that better public transport would make it easier to get around, and 76% thought that landowners should be given more assistance and incentives to protect the environment. Chair of the ARC's Strategic Policy committee, Cr Ian Bradley says that overall the results of the environmental awareness survey are positive, and that it is encouraging to see that the majority of Aucklanders are proud of the region (77% define themselves as an "Aucklander"), and care about the environment in which they live.

"The survey gives us an insight into the level of importance that people place on some of the things that contribute to the Auckland region as a whole. While it is easy to focus on the things that provide the biggest challenges such as transport, which we are attempting to address, the survey shows that on the whole people really do care about the things that make this region so special * the beaches, the coast, and the cultural diversity," he says.

The survey, undertaken between October 2003 and June 2004, aimed to establish a clearer view of the values and perceptions of the regional community, and covers a range of issues including general values and perceptions regarding living in the Auckland region; environmental values, specific issues such as biosecurity and intensification, and awareness of the ARC and its activities.

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Highlights of the ARC's Environmental Awareness Survey (top five in each section)

Values of individuals and their family
(things that are important in order to have a fulfilling life)
Affordable lifestyle/financial security 23%
Safe environment/personal security 22%
Personal health/happiness 21%
Education 19%
Material assets 18%

Values of the community
(things that matter most to their community)
Safe environment/personal security 29%
Good transport system 20%
Less Crime/law and order 19%
Good environment in general 14%
Education 13%

Key contributors to quality of life in the Auckland region
Beaches 30%
The natural environment in general 21%
Good access to parks and open space 19%
Employment opportunities 17%
Cultural facilities 14%

Key impediments to quality of life in the Auckland region
Traffic congestion 52%
Lack of/poor public transport 19%
Crime 12%
High level of pollution 6%
High population growth 5%

Perceptions of environmental problems in the Auckland region
(the environmental problems people think exist in the region)
Air pollution 41%
Traffic congestion 34%
Water pollution 19%
Waste and rubbish 16%
Polluted harbours 13%

Levels of concern about specific environmental issues
(either concerned or very concerned about specific issues)
Traffic congestion 90%
Water pollution 86%
Air pollution 76%
Loss of native plants and animals 71%
Loss of streams, wetlands, bush and forests 69%

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