Starting this week, Whakatāne District Council seeks feedback on its draft climate change strategy and action plans. The documents are based on earlier feedback from the community, and follow international and national best-practice. The documents are guided by an aspirational vision and include specific, measurable targets.
Strategy and Policy Committee Chairperson, Nándor Tánczos, says the vision and targets will ensure the Council applies a climate change lens across the organisation and the wider district.
“The reality is that we need to consider the implications of climate change in all our decision-making,” he says. “Embedding our principles, strategy and action plans throughout all levels of the organisation, from governance to operations, means the likely impacts of climate change will be a priority.”
The draft strategy includes short, medium and long-term targets, specifically for Whakatāne District Council as an organisation, and for the district as a whole. It also outlines how the Council will work with local communities, partners and stakeholders to achieve the goals.
There are six separate action plans that address the main areas of the strategy, including leadership and collaboration; transport; energy; water services; land use and the built environment; and, waste and circular economies.
Councillor Tánczos says feedback from the community about the draft documents is essential to make sure the Council is on the right track. He emphasises that everyone is on the climate change journey together and future planning must reflect that.
“We think we’ve captured the communities’ aspirations in the strategy and action plans, but the feedback process will help shape the final documents,” he explains. “I really encourage everyone to visit koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz and tell us what you think. We’ve created a simple ‘quick poll’ style survey, which should only take 5-10 minutes.”
For those who want to provide a more detailed response, there is an additional online survey available. Feedback is welcome until 5pm Friday, 4 September 2020 via the online platform and other channels, including email and post.
For the full documents and more information, visit koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz.
