Introduction
Transition Nelson is part of a world-wide network of “Transition Towns”, or communities taking action to move to a low carbon society, in response to the critical issues of climate change and peak oil. We work to foster community resilience to these impacts in the areas of food, transport, energy, and also develop the local economy, community wellbeing, and social capital.
Comments on the Draft Plan
Transition Nelson’s comments relate to the areas in the plan that link to climate change and peak oil, and are outlined below. Many of the planned actions by NCC are supported; however we encourage greater urgency by Council in both raising community awareness on these issues, and in taking leadership via action on the issues.
1. Sustainability Strategy
The development of this strategy is supported. This should inform other plans, such as the LTCCP, and also reflect work Council has already undertaken, such as the Communities for Climate Protection Action Plan. It is noted that targets identified in the Climate Protection Action Plan require significant action if they are to be achieved.
Climate change and peak oil impacts need a greater profile in Council Plans and Council has a role in ensuring community awareness on these issues. This will be important for engaging the community in the development of the sustainability strategy.
Examples of local impacts on Nelson from climate change include increased coastal erosion (Tahunanui Beach), and greater costs for storm water control linked to more extreme weather events.
Peak oil impacts include rising transport costs for families and businesses with associated increased costs for goods and services. This will impact significantly on Nelson.
Moves to enhance community resilience to these are important, and initiatives promoted by Transition Nelson include permaculture projects, community gardens and local food production, exploration of local currencies to stimulate the local economy and alternative energy ideas. Nelson City Council is to be congratulated in supporting a number of these.
In addition work to delineate and develop specific local industry that is needed to build resilience and a local low carbon economy is critical. Such work could be done in conjunction with organisations such as the Economic Development Agency and the Chamber of Commerce. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology could be a key partner regarding the necessary skills training. Transition Nelson encourages NCC to take a lead role in this work.
Transition Nelson has previously submitted (May 2009) in relation to the LTCCP, and the ideas promoted then we repeat again:
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The establishment of a Community Resilience Unit within Nelson City Council to undertake emergency planning for climate change and peak oil impacts. These impacts are occurring now. We would encourage this planning to be done in partnership with Council’s Emergency Management Team. This needs appropriate resourcing.
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Funding support for Transition Nelson to assist in community development around climate change and peak oil responses.
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A pilot biocapacity project around sustainable forestry.
- Maintaining and updating the Code Red website as a tool for community awareness raising and engagement.
2. Sustainability Plan for the Rugby World Cup
This initiative is supported and could cover a number of actions addressing climate change and sustainability, including waste, carbon offsetting, local food and product promotion, transport, and community networking.
3. Solar City
The Solar Saver scheme is strongly supported. Transition Nelson congratulates Nelson City Council for taking a lead in this area. More could be done, including action on photovoltaic, e.g. advocating for appropriate feed-in tariffs for people installing PV panels.
4. Eco-Building Advisor
Continued funding for this is critical. People need “on the ground” advice and support if wider community action on sustainability is to occur. Related to this is ongoing funding for Ecofest.
5. Transport
Previously, Transition Nelson has submitted on the importance of NCC working jointly with Tasman District Council in this area.
Moves to advance facilities for walking, cycling, and public transport are critical. Hence, funding for walkways and cycle ways is supported.
The removal of funding for public transport is not supported and additional efforts to encourage a behaviour shift need to be in place. These could include raising parking charges, discouraging single-use car occupancy, and ensuring that public transport (in addition to walking and cycling) features strongly in any outcome from the current arterial traffic flow work.
While the economic importance of road transport is acknowledged and needs to be factored in, the continual dominance of cars in transport planning is inappropriate.
Initiatives regarding “shared” streets are a positive move.
6. Water Supply
NCC’s work on a quality water supply is commended and the next steps to be encouraged should include installation of domestic rain water tanks for garden supply. This is an appropriate use of an available resource and supports initiatives in city garden and food production. Incentives for such tanks should be considered and consideration given to them being required in new subdivisions.
7. Waste
Joint work with Tasman District council is supported. Encouraging composting toilets, as an option for household effluent disposal, needs to be looked at by Council. Multiple benefits arise from this including production of garden compost, support for local industry, decreased load on the sewerage system and promotion of Nelson in eco-building and sustainability action.
Continued strong action to reduce waste to landfill is needed, including appropriate incentives / disincentives, and sector focused education e.g. construction waste.
Recycling and reuse remain very important areas to support.
8. Parks & Reserves
A network of Parks and Reserves ideally linked by cycle ways and walkways is important for community wellbeing. Moves to plant fruit trees and have community gardens in appropriate parks and schools are supported. These also support local community engagement, increase social capital, aid education on sustainability issues and reinforce the role schools have as community centres.
Once again multiple benefits arise from work in developing Nelson’s edible landscape. It becomes a very visible manifestation of building community resilience, community spirit and the Nelson identity. As projects such as this develop, they can offer further opportunities such local business development and job creation.
The delay in funds for the fence for the Brook Sanctuary is not supported. This funding should go ahead now. Protecting biodiversity is critical to sustainability and being able to showcase local action on this has an important effect in promoting further action.
Helping progress this initiative shows we are active in sustainability and could be linked to the Rugby World Cup, both as a place to visit and as a local Nelson action for visitors to support.
Summary
Overall, there are a number of positive initiatives in the Draft Plan around responses to climate change and peak oil. These are supported by Transition Nelson.
However, a key issue is the urgency of the problem in both mitigation and adapting to the impacts. Stronger and more rapid action is needed to develop a resilient Nelson community.
Funding is needed for this. Council needs to take a leadership role in prioritising work in this area and taking a strong sustainability approach. Developing a sustainability strategy is important, but action is needed now in both awareness raising and specific actions in mitigation and adaptation.
Transition Nelson will continue to work with Nelson City Council in these areas, and encourages Council to build further on initiatives such as Solar City and take a lead as a Local Authority in this area.