Environment Canterbury elections 2016

“The mixed governance plan means a majority of ECan councillors would be elected at the local body elections in October 2016, with four elected at large in Christchurch, one elected from North Canterbury for the districts of Kaikōura, Hurunui and Waimakariri, one elected from mid-Canterbury for the Selwyn and Ashburton districts, and one from South Canterbury representing the Timaru, Mackenzie, Waimate districts and the parts of Waikati north of the Waitaki River. The chair and deputy chair of the mixed model council will be elected post-October 2016 by the elected and appointed councillors. The mixed council will carry out a representation review in 2018 under the standard Local Government Act provisions to determine the make-up and wards of the fully elected council for 2019.”
Ref. beehive.govt.nz/release/environment-canterbury-transition-plan-announced

ECan rural votes will be weighted, for a nearer match to total urban votes:
Ref. beehive.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Q&A-Government’s-decisions-on-Environment-Canterbury.pdf

Ref. dia.govt.nz/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Environment-Canterbury + SaveOurWater.org.nz/ecan-2016/

ECan wants polluted lakes exempted
“The government is currently consulting on its National Policy Statement for freshwater and has proposed that the national freshwater standards should include lakes and lagoons which periodically open to the sea. That would include Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsyth in Canterbury – which consistently rank as the most polluted in the country.” – 2.5.16
radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201799106/ecan-wants-polluted-lakes-exempted

Update 24/5/16

Sir Kerry Burke asks why Canterbury’s democracy was destroyed – 22/01/2013 stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/8205626/How-ECan-fell-to-the-irrigators

Effective lobbying and representation is needed to improve Canterbury public transport – 09/09/2014 stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10474271/Greens-rebuked-for-email-tactic

ECan commissioners to run as councillors? – 12 March 2016 stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/77767103/ecan-commissioners-to-run-as-councillors

ECan plan amounts to a ‘broken promise’ – 19 March 2015 stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67440125/ecan-plan-amounts-to-a-broken-promise

Protesters mark six years since Ecan councillors sacked – 1 May 2016 stuff.co.nz/the-press/79487032/protesters-mark-six-years-since-ecan-councillors-sacked

ECan moves closer to fully elected council – 5 May 2016 stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/79680828/ecan-moves-closer-to-fully-elected-council

Rivers advocate makes regional council bid – 22 May 2016 stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/80251041/Rivers-advocate-makes-regional-council-bid

Canterbury Regional Council critic stands for election, 23 May 2016 radionz.co.nz/news/regional/304554/canterbury-regional-council-critic-stands-for-election + see Glandovey.co.nz

If you are interested in campaigning for democratic change at ECan, let us know:  Sustainable Canterbury – mauriroawaitaha.wordpress.com/contact/

Update 27/6/16

Three regional council candidates to focus on change, 19 June 2016
stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/81225366/three-regional-council-candidates-to-focus-on-change

Millions of litres of water illegally taken: Is ECan doing enough? 20 June 2016
stuff.co.nz/business/farming/81191467/Millions-of-litres-of-water-illegally-taken-Is-ECan-doing-enough

Editorial: Do we have to wait for the new ECan council to enforce water rules?
stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/81237203/editorial-do-we-have-to-wait-for-the-new-ecan-council-to-enforce-water-rules & Just how healthy are North Canterbury’s rivers? stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/81306479/just-how-healthy-are-north-canterburys-rivers, 21 June 2016

By the numbers: ECan’s ‘relaxed’ monitoring regime leaves thousands unchecked, 27 June 2016 stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/81280545/by-the-numbers-ecans-relaxed-monitoring-regime-leaves-thousands-unchecked

Update 11/7/16

Next steps for freshwater, 20 February 2016 beehive.govt.nz/release/next-steps-freshwater

Ngai Tahu guaranteed two seats on Canterbury regional council, 23 February 2016 stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76928505/ngai-tahu-guaranteed-two-seats-on-canterbury-regional-council

Elation as Ashburton council backs out of controversial water bottling deal, 11 July 2016, stuff.co.nz/business/81873688/ashburton-council-backs-out-of-controversial-water-deal

ECAN to get tough with farmers who haven’t installed water meters, 11 July 2016 radionz.co.nz/news/national/308416/crackdown-on-farmers-with-no-water-meters

2016 Local Government Elections, how/where/when:
ecan.govt.nz/about-us/your-council/elections/…

Occupy Christchurch speak

Helping a legitimate and peaceful housing protest – and global movement for democratic progress and sustainable change – to get back on track: Occupy Christchurch speak: #OWS O:Chch « Rik Tindall blogs + The last tent comes down at Occupy Christchurch – day 164.

Burwood-Pegasus ward by-election 2012

Greetings Christchurch, citizens East, kia ora,

Welcome to SustainableCanterbury.org – the web link from the election flier you received from me personally. You have been through so much – your stoicism is saluted around the world. The leaflet is to provide contact details from a council and local government specialist – please feel free to contact me at any time, on any issue you wish to raise and have officially addressed through representation.

This is a very important by-election for Burwood-Pegasus ward. Now is the time to secure the strong and determined rebuild assistance that this earthquake-stricken ward so very much needs. Don’t forget to vote!

Stay strong, stick together, kia kaha.

Kind regards,

Rik Tindall – 332-1069 / 027-406-0077

BA Hons, Certificate in Business Computing

sustainablecanterbury@gmail.com

More information: Christchurch earthquakes City Council page ;

Pegasus Post 160112 p.5

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/communityboards/burwoodpegasuscommunityboard

http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/CandidateProfiles/2012BurwoodPegasusCandidateProfiles.pdf

Discussion Re: [Canterbury Issues] Tony Marryatt

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6261354/Rivals-query-Becks-commitment etc.

23 December 2011 earthquake aftermath #Parklands

Parklands liquefaction Hurst Place 130611 - Parklands Red-zone Action Group

Burwood-Pegasus ward has been hard-hit yet again, with the 23 December 2011 earthquake “revitalisation” unleashing more sludge, anguish and despair: Swarm of quakes hits Christchurch + Tsunami chances slim, but quakes will continue + Empty Christchurch homes offer window to past etc. Parklands was the worst-hit locality this time, near to the offshore New Brighton epicentre.

For many in the seaside suburbs, this most recent seismic outburst has proven the last straw. Active lobbying for abandonment of liquefaction-prone areas, currently zoned blue-green but urged to go red, has begun: the Parklands Red-zone Action Group was born out of urgent response to new local land damage, as Parklands Review Action Group on 28 December on Facebook.

Earlier in the month, the Parklands Recovery Group had been formed around the wider range of earthquake issues and responses already then accumulated: facebook.com/pages/Parklands-Recovery-Group. The plethora of political layers beneath local government, CERA, CanCERN, community boards and the like just keeps growing – expressing but perhaps blurring the response clarity. A natural chaos prevails that is partially of the land.

A huge range of needs and concerns now characterise this quake-torn district, that people want immediate answers on. This post will collate the debate, and provide as many answers as possible, in an ongoing way.

e.g. A comment often heard is that it matters not how much Parklands or other residents agitate for red-zoning, it will never happen. The reason being that central government is simply out of cash and unable to purchase any more land. Period.

e.g. Tsunami – Shakes likely but trending away “earthquake scientists and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker are expected to come under scrutiny today over why it is taking so long to get a tsunami warning system in place along the city’s coastline.. Mr Parker said the system was in the pipeline and remained a priority” starcanterbury.co.nz 6 January 2012

Newsflash: There can be no great tsunami risk in Pegasus Bay due to geology!

That is, live volcanoes, tsunami-forming offshore subduction zones, and Alp-forming tectonic plate collisions cannot all feature as real risks in the same place – they present distinct and mutually exclusive geologies locally.

The Southern Alps are our nearest and greatest geological hazard here, as a major earthquake source, and we need to carefully remember and prepare for that.

Under-valued education like this has lead to confusion, pressure for and delivery of a potentially-deadly ‘silver bullet solution’ in the form of a tsunami siren system that is definitively bound to under-perform.

Keep moving and learning what is required though, for improving effect.

More info: ref. Parklands Safety Plan – Parklands Recovery Group.

Kia ora, kia kaha Christchurch East.

Burwood-Pegasus sustainability candidate announced

Media Release: Sustainable Canterbury

Date: 12 December 2011

Subject: Burwood-Pegasus sustainability candidate announced

Sustainable Canterbury have announced their candidate for the Burwood-Pegasus ward by-election in February. The local environment watchdogs are running the group spokesman, Rik Tindall.

“Christchurch East needs strong advocacy based on good understanding of the enormous issues here,” says the former regional councillor for the area. “Land shortages must be addressed, with due care for the holders of damaged land that must not be allowed to put people at risk again.”

“On top of rehousing, training and employment needs, there is urgent work to be done around emergency planning as well as recovery,” Tindall says. “The district needs energy, dedication and expertise, that I offer this vital community in seeking their electoral support.”

Tindall cites an $80,000 cost-reduction, by avoiding the further by-election due should either community board candidate be elected to Council, as one reason for voter consideration of the Sustainable Canterbury campaign. “Being born and raised in this diverse area, with Environment Canterbury experience, I am highly committed to building a brighter future for Burwood-Pegasus,” Tindall says

“My Civil Defence and Emergency Management work and my relative youth will bring active benefits to the ward,” says the fifty-one-year-old father of one – a geography student.

Sustainable Canterbury have been lobbying for industrial transformation of the region for the past two and half years. They believe a different agriculture can raise returns and productive diversity, and reduce emissions while conserving water and biodiversity

“More jobs based on innovation and energy independence, as well as food and other exports, are the future we need,” says Tindall. Sustainable Canterbury has a vision of low-cost and renewable building materials, locally made for an holistic rebuild effort.

The group wants improved local democracy, with consultation for a tangata whenua representative seat on council and proportional representation (STV) begun.

“An inclusive, environmentally sustainable economic future – for all of Canterbury – is the key to rapid Christchurch East recovery,” Tindall says. “This involves spurring a whole new building development phase into action, with new materials, research and employment.”

Water quality is another Burwood-Pegasus issue that Tindall wants accountability on: “Why is ECan cutting its water testing program at just the moment when it is needed most?” he asks.

“Once reduced pollution of ocean and estuary can be guaranteed, we should proceed with the saltwater pools facility long sought after by New Brighton people – as an immediate and insurable replacement for QE2 swimming complex loss, and as a focus of attraction for the beach-side area as a destination,” Tindall concludes. “Voter support for these proposals is warmly invited.”

[Ends]

Contact: Rik Tindall – 332-1069 or 027-406-0077

More information: http://SustainableCanterbury.org

Ref. Residents fear Cera special powers The Press 10/12/2011 + CanCERN context + campaign e-democracy forum comment + SCMW Media Release Scoop copy + The Press Ex-ECan man has party base story 12/12/2011

SCMW campaign-ready addressing #Burwood-Pegasus #Christchurch

Hi, kia ora koutou,
Thanks everyone who attended our last workshop for the year.
Ref. Hopefuls eye seat on council The Press 05/12/2011
Suggestions taken on board and now live are:
Sustainable Canterbury web domain – http://SustainableCanterbury.org ;
Sustainable Canterbury email address – sustainablecanterbury@gmail.com ;
Our first public advertising flier is now available too:

SustainableCanterbury.org flier1 - Dec 2011

Nga mihi, ka kite ano
~ Rik

SCMW December committee meeting ~ 04.12.2011

Sunday 4 December 2011, 3pm-5pm at the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch. Sustainable Canterbury monthly facilitated workshop. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. Venue koha invited.

Agenda: election forum debrief / open : ‘population crisis’? – Not.

We condensed our research results into an electoral strategy to obtain a public voice for the SCMW issues (watch this space).

SCMW November meeting ~ 350 Water Forum ~ 21.11.2011

SCMW meeting - 211111

Download: poster SCMW-211111.pdf

Election year 350 Otautahi Water Forum: Monday 21 November 2011, 7.30pm at the WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch. Thank you very much to candidates Jo McLean (Labour), Clinton Dearlove (Mana) and Denis O’Rourke (New Zealand First) for presenting – a most useful discussion entailed.

Topic:
“Co-governance means around water, towards 350ppm atmospheric CO2″

– asked of Labour, Green, Mana and NZ First representative speakers.

Sub-topics of concern: What forms of co-governance can these parties offer – between themselves and with tangata whenua – regarding water quality, biodiversity, minimum flows, recreation, irrigation, pollution, zone committees, metering and costs, sustainable food and renewable energy production, climate change, coal-seam fracturing (‘fracking’), etc.?

Note: Because of their recent implementation of an exclusive regional governance technique in Canterbury, the National, ACT, Maaori and United Future parties have excluded themselves from this current debate. Our apologies are extended for their formal absence here.

The forum will be filmed for highlights to later be placed on Youtube.

Thank you for your support of local democracy.

Media Release, 10 November 2011: Māori ward seats on councils endorsed

Media Release, 21 November 2011: Election forum explores coalition potential:

An election forum tonight looks at the possibility for a change of government and outputs.

Local environmental watchdogs Sustainable Canterbury have invited the Labour, Green, Mana and New Zealand First parties to speak on the topic of “co-governance around water, towards 350 parts per million atmospheric carbon dioxide”. Tangata whenua rights, sustainable industry, and greenhouse gas reductions lead the set of related challenges the group want commitments on.

Democracy has been curtailed at regional level since April 2010, and a backdrop of damaging earthquakes has further undermined systems for public voice. Sustainable Canterbury were disappointed to see the Christchurch City Council pass over the opportunity to establish a Māori ward seat recently, through its representation review, for example.

“The representation status quo does not work, and we know there is great interest in cooperative governance for justice and equity, so let’s hear what solutions are available,”says Sustainable Canterbury spokesman Rik Tindall. “Kaitiakitanga [guardianship] of the natural environment and resources is something the whole community has a stake in and wants to see done well.”

The council cannot neglect the improvement of local democracy forever, Tindall suggests. “Māori are a uniquely entitled New Zealand minority, and proportional representation at local level is an obligation long owed them by settler society. Around that question we must resolve means of renewable production that stop depleting biodiversity and the planet, for our own survival.”

Water issues have perplexed Cantabrians, with privatisation of supply now in the offing.

“The public interest needs active protection, and resource uses need to greatly improve,” Tindall says. “Good representation is required to do that job. The increase of poverty worsened by state asset stripping is a combination we want to see firm, coherent opposition to.”

The Sustainable Canterbury election forum is at 7.30pm, Monday 21 November, at the WEA, 59 Gloucester Street in Christchurch.

“‘Co-governance means around water, towards 350 partsper million atmospheric carbon dioxide’ is our forum theme tonight. If the opposition parties can agree on how to achieve that together, people have a very strong reason to vote for them,” Tindall concludes.

[Ends]

Note, parallel event: Labour, Green, and National? panel on the fracking issue, at 7pm in lecture theatre C1, University of Canterbury in Ilam, run by the Social Wing of the Anglican Church – contact Nicholas Laing 027-340-8211.

SCMW November committee meeting ~ 06.11.2011

Sunday 6 November, 3-5pm at the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch; SCMW monthly facilitated workshop meeting.

Meeting notes from whiteboard:

Sustainable Canterbury meeting notes - 061111

Agenda items:

1. Review of last SCMW public meeting, 31 Oct – need more publicity for better attendances – and our Media Release #4, of 3 November 2011: CERA submitters demand democracy – supported.
News: Cera gives Christ Church Cathedral ultimatum The Press 4 Nov 2011 + Notice: heritage protection rally at 12.30pm Monday, outside Harley Building, cnr Worcester Boulevard and Cambridge Tce.

2. Organise public electoral Water Forum, for Monday 21 November 2011, 7.30pm at WEA. Topic: “Co-governance means around water, towards 350ppm atmospheric CO2” – asked of Labour, Green, Mana and NZ First speakers. Sub-topics of concern: irrigation, recreation, zone committees, fracking, metering and costs, minimum flows, etc.
Note: Because of their recent implementation of an exclusive regional governance technique in Canterbury, the National, ACT, Maaori and United Future parties have excluded themselves from this current debate.

Rik to process invites and make a poster that people can print off and circulate. Use/fwd social media chat too. Tony, John and Rik to resource filming of the forum, for later placement on Youtube.

3. Endorsement of Nelson City Council poised to have Maori ward radionz.co.nz + Council confirms Maori ward Nelson Mail 4 Nov 2011: see our MMP/STV position page notes – carried.

Resolved, that: SCMW supports and promotes Maaori political representation (indigenous, Treaty of Waitangi enshrined) that is democratically and proportionately elected, and not executive-appointed.

Sustainable Canterbury
All welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. Venue koha invited.

SCMW October meeting ~ land Zoning 31.10.2011 #eqnz #chch

AvON River red zone map - Christchurch 2011

7.30pm Monday 31 Oct @ WEA, 59 Gloucester Street in Christchurch, a public meeting about the general issue of land “Zoning” and planning post-quake:
rehousing affected residents ; the proposed Avon-Otakaro Park and its range of hazards ; protecting versatile soils and the Chch green belt by encouraging settlement south-west ; good public transport infrastructure to guide re-development of Greater Christchurch ; food production and community resilience ; reforestation and its numerous values ; biodiversity ; renewable energy ; CERA Community Forum effectiveness ; etc.

All welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. Venue koha invited.

Note: Few interested in Cera strategy The Press 1 Nov 2011 ; CERA Recovery Strategy submissions closed 30 Oct after CERA Recovery Strategy Youth Jam @ Hagley Cafe / Community College 27 Oct 5:30-8:30pm by Social Innovation ; Sustainable Canterbury CERA submission here – SCMW-submCERA-301011 + Addenda:

15. Better resilience is needed. Christchurch is poorly prepared to cope with pending pressures from peak oil, peak phosphate and climate change. The city needs to embrace green energy and better design can reduce the need for fossil fuels.

16. The “private sector” of course includes home owners with renters. At the moment a lot of money is coming in to our economy through temporary accommodation insurance, and being passed on, by renters. For many that may last one year. What happens to the economy from then until the rebuild?
Need of planning for paying future insurance. To some extent remiums are likely to rise however carefully future building is done, to pay for the past damage. We need to look at what happens in places where insurance is too dear for the average home owner, and plan so quakes – or other environmental damage – have less impact overall.
Previously, member submissions were made to the GCUDS and to PC1 to the RPS. Requested were:
i. Strip Development along existing transport routes.
ii. Large, say 0.2 ha, sections, within walking or biking distance of the road/rail.
iii. A requirement for households to do biodiversity stewardship, and modern technology decentralised sewerage and energy systems. Managed tree placement would allow shelter from wind and sun, and economise water needs. Recreation/employment/garden food production would be at hand, allowing for some health aspects of the plan. Birds could return where few are at the moment. A house would not cover a great proportion of fertile land. Rural problems like isolation should be minimal.
CERA needs to work out the cost impact of replacing the centralised sewerage system. That needs to be done in depth. What is the cost of a centralised algae crude oil from sewage system in terms of production and insurance compared to decentralised. Note that dairy farms may be going that way.

Refs: Avon-Otakaro Network AvON “a vision for the Avon River red zone” + The Boulevard? “Maybe we have a name for our new green space by the Avon” CCLblog ; Cooperative Sections “Creating Affordable Sections Through Cooperative Action” ; Wider Earthquake Communities Action Network WeCan! ; Mixed views on Christchurch light rail The Press 06/10/2011 ; Advanced Living “Builders Christchurch – sustainable development within residential construction.. eco-friendly approach – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.. toxicity free, energy saving materials and technologies that provide significant performance benefits within all built environments with the cost of these new technologies being directly comparable” ; Trees ‘boost African crop yields and food security’ Environment BBC News 16 October 2011 + Fuel for Africa’s fires ‘wood running out.. charcoal clues to best trees to plant.. Agroforestry is arguably the single most important discipline for the future of sustainable agriculture in Africa’ New Scientist 30 Jul 1987 pp.48-51 + Trees for Africa “answer is to let local people manage natural forests, and to encourage farmers to plant trees in fields and pastures” New Scientist New Scientist 14 May 1987 pp.54-57 ; etc.

Push for 45,000 new homes in Christchurch TVNZ Fairfax 15 October 2011:

The Government is using special earthquake powers to redraw greater Christchurch’s urban development area, potentially paving the way for more than 45,000 new houses.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said yesterday that he had pulled Christchurch’s urban growth plan out of the Environment Court, where it could have stalled for two years, and put it into the region’s planning documents.

A public notice, to appear in newspapers on Monday, will make the change official, rezoning large areas of previously rural land earmarked for development by 2041.

Brownlee said land already identified for growth in plan change one to the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement was needed now.

He was unwilling to see the matter bogged down in a protracted Environment Court battle.

“As of [today], there is no document for the Environment Court to consider.”

He said that once district plan changes and consents had been obtained, and seismic tests carried out, the rezoned land could be developed to accommodate thousands of people displaced by the quakes.

It includes areas in Christchurch on which 25,000 houses could be built, as well as about 11,000 houses each in the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts.

“Clearly, the city is going to move around in a different way than what was planned,” Brownlee said. “This was meant to be a plan out to 2041.”

The new chapter of the regional policy statement also makes provision for businesses.

Brownlee said the changes would require more intensive use of land within existing urban areas and provide for greenfield developments.

“They will accommodate both the population relocation forced by the earthquakes and population growth as the pace of rebuilding and development quickens,” Brownlee said.

Since February’s massive earthquake, the Government has red-zoned more than 6000 properties in Christchurch and Waimakariri, meaning the land is too damaged to be built on without being remediated and will have to be abandoned.

Concerns have been raised by the owners of the damaged land, as well as Opposition politicians, about the dearth of sections available in and around the city and the premium prices demanded for sections and houses in undamaged suburbs.

The Government’s announcement is good news for developers who have land within the urban development boundaries.

Environment Canterbury had already asked the Environment Court to redraw its housing development lines to include areas such as the 2700-section Prestons project and other peripheral sites.

Prestons Road chairman David Schwartfeger, who is also Ngai Tahu Property’s development manager, said a plan-change decision on the subdivision was imminent and the Government’s move was a positive step.

“We’re keen to get going and put people back into homes,” he said.

Redrawing the boundaries was supported by the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri councils, ECan and some developers.

However, other landowners who went to court to have their land included within the urban growth limits are unhappy.

Russell McVeagh partner James Gardner-Hopkins said his client, supermarket giant Progressive, which owns land at Marshland, was reflecting on the implications of the decision.

Disgruntled developers might push to have their land rezoned when the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority considers the city’s infrastructure recovery plan.

The Selwyn District Council said a plan change had been approved to rezone 822 hectares in Rolleston and Lincoln on which almost 9000 residential sections could be created.

+ Residents unhappy with quake rebuild approval (1:50) tvnz.co.nz 17:08PM Sunday 30 October 2011 + Friday release ‘buries’ land report “Lianne Dalziel is incensed the Government released an important land report on a Friday” + Red-zoned, but still renovating The Press 01/11/2011

CERA: 6430 orange zone properties turned green 28 October 2011
Canterbury Regional Policy Statement – Chapter 12A “Government has made changes.. to provide certainty to enable local authorities and developers to make land available for post earthquake residential development”

Update: Trust plans to reduce section costs The Press 05/12/2011 + Cera may use powers in low-cost sections “for red-zone residents could be fast-tracked using special quake legislation” 06/12/2011