Timaru District’s climate change action

Timaru District takes climate change action

The Timaru District is beginning to take action in response to the challenges of climate change.

A public information event in late September set the scene, with concise expert contributions from some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading climate scientists. University of Wellington professors, James Renwick and Tim Naish summarised changes in atmosphere and oceans, and University of Canterbury professor, Bronwyn Hayward discussed key impacts on society and politics. Peter Cochrane summarised the Canterbury Climate Change Risk Assessment which was commissioned by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum and Timaru District Council’s Mayor. It outlined the Council’s existing strategic commitments, including the endorsement of a suite of Governance Principles and the engagement of a Climate Change Advisor. Anxiety in the face of human-accelerated climate change is widespread, especially among young people, so psychotherapist James Driver shared some insights how such anxiety can be managed. Timaru District Council Climate Change Advisor, Rhys Taylor, says everyone can take immediate action through social and business connections while central and local government gear-up for structural changes. “At the event on 21 September, we provided a platform for local news on positive actions for climate being taken by some larger and smaller businesses across South Canterbury,” he said. “The event also highlighted key insights from young people, farmers and social welfare agencies. It was a lot to cover but was a be a fascinating evening, laying the foundation to guide our further work.” CT

South Canterbury Mayors support consensus plan for Three Waters

South Canterbury’s Mayors have thrown their support behind the consensus plan for to improve water management in New Zealand.

The Mayors of Mackenzie, Timaru and Waimate have backed the plan, announced by Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland and Phil Mauger, Mayor of Christchurch, which allows for better reform while retaining local ownership and local responsiveness. Regional Water Organisations (RWOs), which would be unable to be sold outside local authority ownership, would have access to investment capital through a new Water Infrastructure Fund (WIF), administered by central government’s own Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIPs), best known for its successful roll-out of ultra-fast broadband. Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen says it is time for the government to work towards a consensus on Three Waters. “Through Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mo te Manapori we’ve put significant work into a model which is aligned with the objectives the Government set out at the start of this process and could gain wide cross sector and cross-party support.” “Local Government has sent a clear and unequivocal message to Government that it doesn’t support the three waters model on the table, it’s now time for them to come back to the table and seek a consensus approach for water that works.” Waimate District Mayor Craig Rowley underlined that it was time to take a united approach to delivering water reform, bringing everyone along on the journey. “We fully support this new approach and this may be a way forward to stop the divisiveness that we are seeing on this issue around the country. We hope this approach can be considered moving forward.” Mackenzie District Mayor Anne Munro called for common sense to prevail in the Three Waters discussion. “I too am supportive of this move – let common sense prevail. This alternative plan offers the potential to get all Councils back on board with the reform. “Regional Water Organisations would be preferable to the single entity as they would give small Councils like ours a greater voice in the investment decisions.” CT