Milford Opportunities Project Phase 1 Gap Analysis Contact Details Name: Luke McSoriley WSP Opus Invercargill Office Opus House, 65 Arena Avenue PO Box 647, Invercargill 9840 New Zealand Telephone: +64 3 211 3580 Mobile: +64 27 269 1644 Document Details: Date: August 2018 Reference: 6-VN103.00 Status: Final Prepared by: Luke McSoriley | Jared Thomas | Anne Relling | Michele Frey Reviewed by: Michele Frey | Project Manager Approved for release by: Andrew D Bruce | Project Director www.wsp-opus.co.nz ©WSP OPUS | 21 AUGUST 2018 Glossary Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi Includes the Fiord itself, settlement, infrastructure - the natural and physical environment at Milford Sound. Milford Corridor State Highway 94 ‘The Milford Road’ from Te Anau to Milford Sound and immediate surrounds from ridgeline to ridgeline up each valley (i.e. includes Eglington Valley and Hollyford Valley). Milford Regional Context Wider Southland and Otago areas (Fiordland, Te Anau, Queenstown, Northern Southland Townships, Invercargill, Southern Scenic Route, Catlins, Rakiura, State Highway’s 94, 95, 97, 99 and 6. AEE Assessment of Environmental Effects CMA Coastal Marine Area DOC Department of Conservation ES Environment Southland (Southland Regional Council) FNP Fiordland National Park FNPMP Fiordland National Park Management Plan MBIE Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MOP Milford Opportunities Project MST Milford Sound Tourism NZTA NZ Transport Agency pSWLP Proposed Southland Water and Land Plan QLDC Queenstown Lakes District Council QMS Quota Management System RCP Regional Coastal Plan RMA Resource Management Act 1991 RPS Regional Policy Statement for Southland RWP Regional Water Plan (Operative) SDC Southland District Council SDP Southland District Plan SH State Highway SSR Southern Scenic Route TDM Tourism Demand Management TTM Tourism Transport Management www.wsp-opus.co.nz ©WSP OPUS | 21 AUGUST 2018 PAGE I Contents Glossary .......................................................................................................................................................................................... I 1. Executive Summary ...............................................................................................................................................................1 2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................4 2.1. Project Area ............................................................................................................................................................4 2.2. The Gap Analysis ...................................................................................................................................................4 2.2.1. Sequence of Information Sought .........................................................................................................................5 2.3. Project Area ............................................................................................................................................................6 3. Information Requirements ................................................................................................................................................9 3.1. The Place ................................................................................................................................................................9 3.2. The Customer ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.3. The Interventions ................................................................................................................................................. 10 3.4. Best Practice ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 4. Information Review and Gap Analysis – The Place .................................................................................................. 11 4.1.1. Natural Environment ............................................................................................................................................ 11 4.1.2. Built Environment ................................................................................................................................................. 15 4.1.3. Heritage Values .................................................................................................................................................... 19 4.1.4. Cultural and Heritage Values.............................................................................................................................. 20 4.1.5. Hazard Management ........................................................................................................................................... 20 4.1.6. How the Place Impacts on the Wider Region ................................................................................................... 21 5. Information Review and Gap Analysis – The Customer .......................................................................................... 21 5.1.1. Tourist/ Visitor ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 5.1.2. Commercial Operator .......................................................................................................................................... 24 5.1.3. Recreational User ................................................................................................................................................ 26 5.1.4. Residents .............................................................................................................................................................. 27 5.1.5. Government Departments ................................................................................................................................... 27 5.1.6. Future Demand ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 5.1.7. Views on the Wider Region Opportunities ........................................................................................................ 28 5.1.1. The Economic Cost/ Potential ............................................................................................................................ 29 6. Information Review and Gap Analysis – The Interventions ................................................................................... 29 6.1.1. Legislative Framework......................................................................................................................................... 29 6.1.2. Proposed Developments ..................................................................................................................................... 33 6.1.3. Previous Masterplans/ Concept Plans .............................................................................................................. 35 7. Information Review and Gap Analysis – Best Practice ........................................................................................... 35 7.1.1. National park demand management strategies ............................................................................................... 36 7.1.2. Accessibility........................................................................................................................................................... 38 7.1.3. Examining visit value ........................................................................................................................................... 40 7.1.4. Relationship between visitor demand and biodiversity impacts .................................................................... 42 7.1.5. Master plans that deal with flux or change over time ...................................................................................... 43 8. Table of Knowledge Gaps, Further Research Options and Priorities .................................................................. 45 www.wsp-opus.co.nz ©WSP OPUS | 21 AUGUST 2018 PAGE II 1. Executive Summary The Aims of this Project: The Milford Opportunities Project (MOP) aims to: • Provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure the opportunities of increased visitor experiences of Milford, Fiordland, and Southland are realised; • Establish the current baselines in Milford and along the corridor for: ▪ The state of the environment; ▪ The conservation values; ▪ The number of visitors; ▪ The level/type of commercial activity; and ▪ The level/type of physical infrastructure. ▪ Consider the future demands/opportunities/effects for Milford tourism; • Advocate for the development of projects that are identified from the work-streams. The Gap Analysis: The purpose of this Gap Analysis is to demonstrate current gaps in knowledge that require further research to inform the eventual development of a masterplan for Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. The Gap Analysis and eventual masterplan work align with the overall guiding principle for the project which is; Enhancing Milford Sound, its corridor, and Fiordland National Park as key New Zealand visitor ‘icons’ providing a ‘world class’