Have a say on Canterbury’s future
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Now is an important time to have a say about Canterbury’s future, says Environment Canterbury councillor Grant Edge.
The North Canterbury councillor is encouraging Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura residents to share their views as the regional council begins a review of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (RPS).
The RPS is expected to be notified by December next year, and Environment Canterbury is seeking public feedback.
It will ultimately form part of an Integrated Plan for Canterbury, being merged with the Coastal Environment Plan and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
"The whole integrated planning process is quite exciting," Edge says.
"And it is coming about at a time of new legislation with the RMA (Resource Management Act) reforms."
Merging the three plans into one would simplify the process and "give people more certainty for land use", he said.
The RPS set the framework for local councils when preparing District Plans.
Under the proposed RMA reform legislation, District Plans may soon be replaced by Regional Plans, making it important local voices were heard, he says.
"We seem to duplicate things a lot, so I’m hoping in the end it will lead to the regional council, district councils and the government working more closely together.
"With climate change impacts and adaptation, a new way of funding is needed within the regional space, because it will become unaffordable through rates alone.
"So the best way is having government around the table and listening, with local people contributing."
The Greater Christchurch Partnership provides an example of how this could work, with local and central government, and treaty partners sitting around the table and negotiating to find a consensus.
Edge praised the Hurunui District Council for "forward thinking" in developing a coastal adaptation plan in partnership with the Amberley Beach community.
It is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
"We recently had the hottest day on average, two days in a row, for the planet," he said.
"Eventually we are going to get to the point where we are going to have to act quickly."
The RPS engagement is focusing on six topics including water, land, climate change, air, the coast and the built environment.
Environment Canterbury developed its first RPS in the 1990s and it was last reviewed in 2013.
"I encourage people to really get involved in tackling these environmental issues," Edge said.
"Because once these things are formed, it will shape the way we act and protect our environment for years to come."
Feedback closes on August 27 and can be made at ecan.govt.nz/ourfuture or call 0800 326636.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
-
48.3% Yes
-
49.7% No
-
1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Loading…
