Strategies For Climate Change
KCDC needs to revise its ambulance at the bottom of the cliff approach to climate change. Instead of reminding us what we need to have in a grab bag, timely attention should be given to adaptations to our existing infrastructure to enable it to cope with the severe weather events which are inevitably coming.
Chris Turver has recently recommended that the current Floodplain Management Plan be revised, and I would concur that this should be done. However, the work should not stop there. These management plan exercises are in danger of becoming tick-box exercises and are often consigned to the bottom draw to accumulate dust once they are signed off. Any strategies we use now have to be living documents. Our lives will depend upon it.
We also need to adapt existing infrastructure outside of flood plain areas to cope with extreme runoff. Parks and reserves can be re-designed to capture water in heavy rain events. Roads can be cambered to direct water to outflow areas. Landscaping and public recreation areas need to be made more permeable, to absorb water rather than turn into raging torrents across kilometers of concrete. The Waikanae River needs to have gravel removed as a matter of urgency. This could benefit the community in a number of ways. The gravel can be distributed for permeable paths, communities could have water holes constructed for recreational use.
For those who would like to understand more about these concepts, Mathew Bradbury's recent publication "Water City: Practical Strategies for Climate Change" is a valuable resource. Its available on Amazon. Katherine Ryan also interviewed Mathew on RNZ last week and this is available on the RNZ website. The strategies he advises and the evidence for these is compelling.
We not only need to "build back better", we need better existing structures also. The word is out from gardeners, landscapers and lifestyle block owners alike, that adding mulch and compost to soils absorbs water and slows down water flows. The more we can add to our soils the better. Twig mulch and bark paths are more absorbent than concrete.
The old slash and burn methods of agriculture are no longer appropriate. We should be utilizing forestry slash to provide more permeable surfaces, rather than burning it. These large scale burn offs add a lot more Co2. KCDC could help the Hawkes Bay Council by removing a few truckloads of chipped slash and providing it for local users here. Funding could also be allocated to individuals to improve water capture through tanks, swales and ponds.These strategies are, in my view, more deserving of funding than some of the current decisions that have been made. Storytelling is nice to have, but we don't want to have to tell the stories of how our families did not survive the winter of 2023 flood.
Landscape Builders
Hi Neighbors,
Just wanting to share a recent project we have completed for a really nice retired couple at Paraparaumu Beach. What made this project unique is that a lot of recycled materials were incorporated into the project, which kept in touch with the homeowners’ vision. We worked with them to create a tailor-made plan, and the results were amazing. We were grateful to be a part of this process.
Some highlights:
Custom bamboo planter box with inbuilt seats, creating a uniform structure with the deck. This is a lovely large structure which we are excited to see evolve as it gets planted out.
Custom garden shed built to meet the requirements of the high-wind/sea zone, but also clad with recycled palings. This was purposed as a planting and propagating shed, with polycarbonate roofing to allow natural light to enter.
Bamboo deck and stairs leading into another planting zone, Linking the back Area to the front.
We are qualified builders who love landscaping. We can offer decking, digger services, concrete, fencing, planters, and more. If you have a project we could help you with, please get in touch.
Thanks,
Joe
021 081 12603
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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30.2% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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69.8% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
THE WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY COMMUNITY MARKET IS ON THIS SUNDAY
WHERE:- Waikanae Beach Community Hall,
22 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach,
WHEN:- Sunday 8 March 10am-1pm
Enjoy a Sunday outing with your family and friends by visiting this great friendly community market where you will discover handmade treasures and local creativity by highly talented stallholders where every piece tells a story.
FOR THE KIDS:-
Bring the kids along so they can meet jane with her quality handmade crochet toys, along with Helen and her huge range of awesome handmade children's dress ups and dolls clothes etc and Viv Walker a local author of Children's Books and an accomplished creator of Pet Portraits.
NEW STALLHOLDERS:-
BioGro Certified organic apples from Applejack Orchard in Te Horo. Their apples are tree ripened, and picked and bagged the day before they sell them! They are audited annually by BioGro New Zealand, and their certificate will be on display.
DISCOVER UNIQUE AND QUALITY ITEMS:-
You will find a huge variety of high-quality, reasonably priced gift ideas along with locally produced honey beeswax, Oils & Sauces, Fresh Flowers and Organic Apples.
MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:-
Meet up with a friend or 2 and enjoy a Sunday outing at this great Community event.
Don't miss it... support local!
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