Less Talk, More Action
Reading about the government grants given to KCDC under the Better Off package, one can't fail to notice that there is an awful lot of talking going on in the way these funds have been allocated. Approximately $775 million has been allocated to capacity-building, development-type projects which are difficult to evaluate in terms of outputs. Given the events of this week, the money could be better spent shoring up our storm water and drinking water systems to cope with extreme weather events. This may be more inkeeping with the purpose of the grants.
While in Kapiti we may not experience an event of the scale seen with cyclone Gabrielle, floods are becoming more frequent and our aging storm water system is in need of an upgrade. Small underground pipes cannot cope with the volumes of water generated with these events and a raft of other measures are needed. For instance, the creation of more green spaces, trees, ponds to contain runoff, restoration of wetlands, and construction of swales on private and public land.
We could dig up some of the concrete and replace it with permeable or semi permeable paths where this is practicable. All of these measures will slow down and absorb the flow of water during an extreme event.
Our KCDC engineers probably have a number of other good ideas we should be looking at. Funding needs to be allocated for these. Landowners could be assisted to provide ponds for storm water collection and construct swales along driveways and fences on private property. (and note that ponds will need to be fenced).
Are our drinking water systems future-proofed? Do collection points, substations need to be upgraded? Floodplain work is needed so that water is directed toward a specific overflow area. Gravel needs to be removed from the lower reaches of our rivers.
All of these measures will enable us to be better off when extreme weather hits. To the council, I would say this:
To thy own self be true
You cannot sit in meetings waving a pen around and looking for ways to defer things. You were elected for espousing certain values which the community needs and you need to act on those.
We're talking new year resolutions...
Tidying the house before going to bed each night, meditating upon waking or taking the stairs at work.
What’s something quick, or easy, that you started doing that made a major positive change in your life?
New Year, Same Brain Teasers!
A man was found dead with a cassette recorder in one hand and a gun in the other.
When the police pressed “play,” the tape said, “I can’t go on,” and then there was a gunshot.
Yet, the police knew it was a murder.
How?
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.
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
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