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Whau Local Board
06 May 2020
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Whau Local Board feedback on the
consultation report and proposed changes to Te Taruke-a-Tawhiri –
Auckland ‘s Climate Action Framework (ACAF).
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Whau Local Board supports all key moves
for action that went out for public consultation. It is the view of this board
that the framework be given the regulatory gravitas needed to directly
influence project prioritization within Council and CCO departments. The
framework needs to have power and authority to enable its key moves.
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Points noted by the board:
· The Whau Low Carbon Plan, which was adopted by the board
carries seven key action areas which directly align with the ACAF.
· the consultation summary carries overwhelming support for
the Framework and also, regardless of geography or topography, we are all
recognise the need for planning and action.
· Interestingly, the Whau public’s focus for the Whau
area also resonates as the region particular areas of concern.
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Key Challenges
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As prioritized by Auckland region
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As prioritized by Whau residents
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Access to public transport
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No. 1 priority at 31%
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No 2 priority at 25%
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Lack of knowledge and awareness of
climate change
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No. 2 priority at28%
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No 1 priority at 42%
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Effects on natural environment
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No. 3 priority at 25%
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No 4 priority at 29%
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Coastal changes including sea
level rise and erosion
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No. 4 priority at 20%
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No 5 priority at 16%
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Community preparedness for impacts
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No. 5 priority at 17%
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No 3 priority at 20%
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Whau Local Board Position:
· Communication and behavior change are integral to making
meaningful change locally, nationally and globally. This board recommends that
The Auckland Climate Plan uses the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as set by
the Paris Agreement in 2016 to both base a campaign and awareness on, but also
to use for evaluation and monitoring.
· Support a smaller number of priorities without diluting the
intent and would also support a review of the layout of key moves to remove
implied priority order.
· Emphasis is needed on “Access to public transport”.
This needs significant change and delivery at scale and pace. Whau would
welcome that acceleration but understands that what is funded by Auckland
Transport is not always in line with this framework. Auckland Transport
projects should carry a climate impact statement at the start of any case
brought before the local boards.
· To ensure effectiveness, clear regulations need to be in
place at central as well as local government levels.
· Fully agrees with council seeking mana whenua support,
ensuring a Maori lens on tools and strategies put in place to address climate
change.
· Introduce an effective and ongoing campaign ensuring this
translates to all cultures in NZ, and that this is an underpinning of the
Aotearoa lived experience and culture.
· Potentially Ministry of Science, Research and Innovation
being funded to the level that ensures leadership on not only research, but
also climate action planning.
· We agree with an Action Plant that puts in places
strategies and speedily implements those strategies to reduce emissions that
cause climate change. It is important that this is measurable.
· The work to reduce the negative impacts of climate change
needs to be happening concurrently with emissions reduction and also needs to
be measurable.
· Private sector businesses must be encouraged by central and
local government regulations to compete on a level playing field and also
provide clarity to the public of reality vs expectation - for example insurance
cover or mitigation support for properties in flood prone planes. This is not
addressed in the proposed plan and perhaps should be.
· Climate crisis requires coordinated action by the Governing
Body, local boards and CCOs. In keeping with the structure of Auckland Council,
local boards are best placed to partner with local communities and implement
local solutions. To facilitate this, the Whau Local Board supports a dedicated
funding stream for local boards to address climate-related projects. Because of
the lack of action plans in such events, there is greater and more enduring
effects on individuals as well as the economy (the 2018 flood of New Lynn town
centre is an example)
· The board supports the actions outlined under each key
move, as well as the timelines proposed and would directly comment on the
following:
o Key Move 3 Make
development and infrastructure climate compatible. There seems to be
emphasis on new infrastructure. There is dire need to act more quickly where
weaknesses in infrastructure are identified, e.g. aging wastewater systems,
culverts and drains not coping with accelerated development and housing. The
board is of the opinion that with the recent establishment of the Urban
Development Bill, there is opportunity to be more aggressive in the enforcement
of sustainable design and construction. There is also the opportunity for central
government (supported by council regulations) to put in place measures and
incentives to meaningfully reward developers for addressing sustainability in
new builds.
o Key Move 9 Youth
and intergenerational equity. This move is
admirable but may take a while to implement. The message may not get through to
our more resistant, immovable older people if it’s being voiced by
rangitahi; So, I thought maybe the following needs to be added to Key Point
7:
o Key Move 7 Help
Aucklanders become more resilient and reduce their carbon footprint –
Undertake a widespread action and public awareness programme. Promote green building eg with water resilience / water
tanks on site as per normal, with opportunity to retrofit with solar at a later
date, ensuring that there is strategic planning for green spaces, including
future community gardens (food).
o Key Move 11 Grow
Low Carbon, resilient food system–
encourage the widespread development of community and home-based vegetable
gardens.
Closing Statement
What the spread of
the Covid-19 virus has highlighted for the board, as representatives of a
community, is the need for social cohesion. Rather than sit back and react to
the fall out, we in local government must lead communities into being more
proactive about being climate resilient. A well-prepared action plan helps us
do this.
