West Coast fuel resilience project ramps up
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A nearly $300,000 resilience project to ensure the West Coast is strategically connected in the event of a full-scale civil defence emergency is ramping up.
West Coast Emergency Management group manager Claire Brown told the West Coast Emergency Management Joint Committee this week substantial work has progressed around the fuel aspect of the wider resilience project, which also aims to set up an alternative communication project.
The project was funded by NEMA earlier in the year.
Brown said they were at the stage of developing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with up to 30 of the region's fuel stations to ensure their strategic role in any future event.
This included ensuring petrol stations had access to a back up power supply "and an understanding of Civil Defence and its role".
This was to enable the utilisation of critical fuel supplies in an emergency.
Brown said the intended memorandum was a "unique" cross-sector arrangement, the first of its kind in the country.
It would include ensuring fuel stations had the appropriate wiring in place in order to hook up to portable generators for power supply, or had accessed provision through the resilience fund for a generator.
"I think we have identified this as a key issue for us accessing fuel."
However, that was only one element of the broader project, which has a two year rollout, Brown said.
More broadly, a South Island group had been initiated to collaborate in the design of a high frequency radio network.
Meanwhile, the West Coast councils' chief executives group had endorsed progression of two funding proposal topics for next year's NEMA funding round.
These were a 'kit me' household preparedness web based resource, as part of a national rollout, and alternate emergency operations centre/emergency control centre emergency equipment cache - with early discussion with the region's runanga regarding the location of emergency equipment at marae.
This was due to be submitted by early next year.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.6% Yes
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32.9% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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