‘Cut and paste’ climate change policy draws criticism
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton District councillor Stuart Wilson has rubbished the area's updated climate change policy, voting against what he called a “cut and paste’’ document with no local focus.
The policy was updated by council staff and was based on findings in the Canterbury climate change risk assessment technical report.
The mostly unoriginal work annoyed Wilson, who thought it was too generalised. He said “we have no such thing as wildfires” in Mid Canterbury since the introduction of irrigation, and he scoffed at the statement that 25C was considered a hot day or extreme temperatures.
“My giddy aunt,’’ he said, firing up over the tweaked policy.
“Have they never lived in the Ashburton district? If we don’t get 25 degrees for quite a few days in summer, we think we are short changed.”
Wilson felt the policy relied too heavily on content in the Canterbury mayoral forum’s climate change risk report.
“Why cut and paste something that doesn’t relate to our district?’’ he said.
“If it’s our policy, why are we not stating what affects us?”
While the technical details came under fire, there was support for the direction.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron stressed that climate change needed to be endemic in the council’s decision making and approving the policy shouldn’t be “just paying lip service” to the issues.
Mayor Neil Brown said if the policy wasn’t right, it could always be reviewed if the majority voted against it.
That never happened because the policy was adopted, with Wilson and Angus McKay the only councillors opposed to it due to its content.
The council’s resilience action plan, which would describe what the Ashburton council was doing to address climate change, also got the go-ahead. But it, too, got the cold shoulder from some councillors.
McKay and John Falloon questioned just what it would achieve and voted against its adoption, with everyone else in favour.
“What we are looking at is only the actions of the Ashburton District Council and their employees. No-one else,” Falloon said.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
60.1% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
25.7% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
14.3% ... It is complicated
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
-
44.4% Yes - we like to be prepared
-
38.9% Nah
-
16.7% This is on my to-do list!
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
Loading…
