Canterbury councils team up to tackle climate change
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s three councils have thrown their weight behind a plan to tackle climate change.
The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have endorsed the Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s draft climate partnership plan.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, who chairs the mayoral forum’s climate action reference group, said by working together larger councils could help the smaller councils.
‘‘Climate change doesn’t recognise territorial boundaries, so we need something that works across Canterbury.
‘‘Christchurch is further ahead, which is fantastic, and in Waimakariri we are developing our work programme.’’
The Waimakariri District Council adopted its natural environment strategy at a council meeting last week, after completing its consultation alongside the long-term plan.
The 30-year strategy aims to protect the district’s natural ecosystems and its special indigenous biodiversity.
Gordon said the mayors hoped to officially launch the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan later this year and he planned to invite Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.
‘‘I have raised with the Minister about attending a public launch to provide some inspiration of what can be done in other regions.’’
The plan sets out 10 climate actions to help the 11 Canterbury councils prepare for ‘‘a sustainable future’’.
The actions included understanding climate risks and improving resilience, reducing emissions, adaptation planning, nature-based solutions, education and advocacy, supporting papatipu rūnanga, integrating climate change considerations into council processes, identifying co-funding opportunities, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said her council had endorsed the plan in principle.
The Hurunui District Council was represented on the climate action reference group by Councillor Dave Hislop, a dairy farmer.
‘‘Dave brings a pragmatic approach and he is grounded in farming principles,’’ Black said.
Hislop and other rural councillors had questioned aspects of the plan and science behind it, before giving their support, chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.
‘‘I think it has been through a robust process and councillors of all persuasions have been involved.
‘‘We might not 100% agree with everything, but it is important Canterbury stands together and is seen to be working together.
‘‘There is a desire for us to thrive and do well and loom large in the consciousness of the Government and the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan is just one of those things which we are working on collectively.’’
Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said his council had endorsed the plan and budgeted for its contribution over the next three years in its long-term plan.
‘‘We believe it is a great initiative to be looking at the issues from a wider regional perspective.
‘‘We are very keen to see some tangible outcomes from the climate actions.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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