Emergency management reform needs to be ‘more ambitious’ – ECan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Proposed emergency management reform does not go far enough, says Environment Canterbury (ECan).
In a submission on the Government’s Emergency Management Bill, chairperson Peter Scott said the legislation doesn't adequately address funding, disaster prevention or climate change mitigation.
"Environment Canterbury would like to see a more ambitious approach to managing climate change exacerbated hazards and risks in guiding legislation, across the 4Rs (risk, readiness, response and recovery) of emergency management.
"We are now in a time of increasing frequency, severity and consequence of emergency events."
The bill was intended to replace the 20-year-old Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002.
When the legislation was introduced to Parliament in June this year, Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty said the legislation was not intended to be "transformational" or propose major changes.
But Scott said the feedback during the targeted engagement last year had called for "transformational change".
"Recent weather events cause us to reiterate that point."
Environment Canterbury has been calling for central Government investment to future-proof Canterbury’s rivers against more frequent and severe climate events.
Scott said he was pleased the legislation saw rivers as "critical infrastructure", but it did not address funding.
"It is difficult to plan for a sustainable future and to provide the best resilience from funding from a confined rating base as at present."
He supported giving iwi a greater role in emergency management, and said there needed to be stronger support for communities likely to be disproportionately impacted by emergency events.
Key changes in the proposed legislation included: clarifying roles at national, regional, and local levels, requiring Civil Defence Emergency Management Group plans to identify disproportionately impacted communities and recognising the role of Māori.
Photo: ECan deputy chairperson Craig Pauling, left, and chairperson Peter Scott.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.6% Second half of November
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43.5% 1st December
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17.4% A week before Christmas
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33.3% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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