Latest news with #DunedinCityCouncil
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Dunedin Airport Art Protest
Remember that its a climate emergency and in 2018 our government committed to halving emissions by 2030 under the terms of the historical Paris Agreement? Tuesday July 22nd 2pm at Dunedin airport Recently I began a small ongoing 'art meets activism project' with my colleague, Craig Hilton, in which a person simply stands in a high profile place with a small A3 sign saying 'It's a Climate Emergency'. This well dressed person (me) stands somewhere quietly with a small A3 sized sign around my neck saying 'It's a Climate Emergency' and any interesting interactions with passersby or the authorities are documented by Craig. He is not obviously part of 'the protest' but just standing somewhere close by in case something happens which is worth documenting. Yesterday we went out to Dunedin airport, which is jointly owned by the Dunedin City Council, who declared a climate emergency in 2019 and the government, who declared one in 2020. You might think someone standing there with a small and uncontroversial sign reminding the airport of its owners stated policy wouldn't provoke much of a reaction at all? Well, you'd be wrong. It only took a couple of minutes before airport security and police turned up and asked us to leave. It should be noted that I approached the information desk as soon as we arrived and introduced myself and said I'd be wandering around a little bit with this sign and they didn't seem to think it would be a problem. Our timing wasn't random – we were there to greet some of the passengers coming off one of Jetstar's three new direct flights a week from the Gold Coast to Dunedin. These new international flights have provoked a price war with Air New Zealand with both companies offering a greater range of discounted international flights. Remember that it's a climate emergency and in 2018 our government committed to halving emissions by 2030 under the terms of the historical Paris Agreement? The man from airport security he made it clear he wanted us to leave immediately. We hadn't interacted with any of the passengers coming off the plane and I doubt they even noticed me but apparently we were both causing 'a problem.' As a long-time climate activist and artist I can't help but notice the increasing disconnect between the reality of the terrifying and ongoing ecological catastrophe which is overwhelming the planet and the head down 'business as usual' approach which is being promoted by this government, as well as much of the mainstream media. As a passionate believer in free speech and the right to protest, I find it surprising that an old man standing quietly at the airport with a small sign can provoke a police response. Many people stand at the airport holding small signs to highlight themselves to arriving passengers for 'legitimate business reasons' and it's obvious that my tiny sign wasn't the problem, it was the words on it. I elected not to leave until I was trespassed and was duly taken round the corner to the police part of the airport and given a formal trespass notice from the airport for two years. As a climate activist I stopped flying on planes many years ago so this was hardly an imposition. To be clear – I am not saying I don't want anyone to ever fly again but I do want people to understand that their holiday choices have real world implications which affect us all. A return flight from Dunedin to the Gold Coast for one person produces roughly 1.3 to 2.6 tonnes of CO2 per passenger. The average New Zealander individually produces around 7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2-e) per year so if two people take a return trip to the Gold Coast then this one return flight will produce up to five tonnes of emissions which is a big whack of someone's annual total and recent climate models (see – 'The Mortality Effects of Carbon' by Daniel Bressler -published in the journal 'Nature Communications' in 2021) predict that just four return flights with around 250 people on board could produce enough emissions to kill someone by heat related causes by the end of the century, not counting all of the fires and floods etc. I would like people to be more aware of their carbon footprints and try to do the best they can to reduce them at a time when people and animals are already dying all over the world from the effects of this ongoing climate emergency. I am not against people making important visits to see their relatives and for other important reasons but I do want people to know the true possible costs of a quick holiday in the sun.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Dunedin councillors flooded with 'highly orchestrated' emails after supporting Green Party bill
Each elected member of the Dunedin City Council has received more than 2200 emails. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Dunedin's mayor and councillors have been flooded with thousands of emails after declaring their support for the Green Party's proposal to sanction Israeli politicians. Each elected member of the Dunedin City Council has received more than 2200 emails in what has been described as an orchestrated backlash to their support for the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. Chlöe Swarbrick's members' bill would direct sanctions at Israeli ministers and Knesset members as well as military leaders who support the occupation of Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem - similar to sanctions imposed on Russian leadership for its illegal war on Ukraine. Dunedin councillor Christine Garey said the emails, which arrived over several hours on 7 July, appeared to be a campaign from a group based in the United States. The broad, impersonal emails - seen by RNZ - criticised "anti-Israel resolutions that unjustly vilify Israel", and asked recipients not to call for a "financial and military aid boycott of Israel". They began flooding in from about 1:30am, each with a slightly different subject line, Garey said. While only sent to the mayor and councillors, they also featured a CC list of New Zealand and United States leaders. "They were all quite carefully crafted - it was highly orchestrated," Garey said. She reported the emails to the council's IT staff, who she said blocked the senders later that morning. Two and a half weeks earlier, Dunedin City Council's Community Services Committee voted in favour of Mayor Jules Radich writing to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters asking government MPs to back Swarbrick's bill. Half of those around the council table were opposed, but a casting vote from chair Marie Laufiso broke the tie. Garey, who introduced the motion, said the bizarre email response had galvanized her to keep using her voice and influence on behalf of Dunedin's Palestinian community. "It says to me that we have made an impact... we touched a nerve and, to be honest, it's a badge of courage because it attracted this attention. It just reminds us how important this issue is.... the plight of our Palestinian community in Ōtepoti Dunedin," she said. The council previously called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for special humanitarian visas for the families of New Zealand's Palestinian community. Those resolutions had triggered some email traffic but nothing like the most recent onslaught, Garey said. In a statement, Dunedin City Council chief information officer Graeme Riley confirmed each councillor received a total of 2284 emails between 4 and 14 July, relating to the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. The council was not taking any further action, he said. "It is not uncommon for council to receive bulk emails when considering contentious issues, but this example would be at the extreme end of the spectrum in terms of volume." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Councillors flooded with emails after supporting sanctions bill
By Katie Todd of RNZ Dunedin's mayor and councillors have been flooded with thousands of emails after declaring their support for the Green Party's proposal to sanction Israeli politicians. Each elected member of the Dunedin City Council has received more than 2200 emails in what has been described as an "orchestrated" backlash to their support for the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. Chlöe Swarbrick's members' bill would direct sanctions at Israeli ministers, Knesset members and military leaders who support the occupation of Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem - similar to sanctions imposed on Russian leadership for its illegal war on Ukraine. Cr Christine Garey said the emails, which arrived over several hours on July 7, appeared to be a campaign from a group based in the United States. The broad, impersonal emails - seen by RNZ - criticised "anti-Israel resolutions that unjustly vilify Israel", and asked recipients not to call for a "financial and military aid boycott of Israel". They began flooding in from about 1.30am, each with a slightly different subject line, Garey said. While only sent to the mayor and councillors, they also featured a CC list of New Zealand and US leaders. "They were all quite carefully crafted - it was highly orchestrated," Garey said. She reported the emails to the council's IT staff, who she said blocked senders later that morning. Two-and-a-half weeks earlier, the Dunedin City Council's Community Services Committee voted in favour of Mayor Jules Radich writing to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters asking government MPs to back Swarbrick's bill. Half of those around the council table were opposed, but a casting vote from chair Marie Laufiso broke the tie. Garey, who introduced the motion, said the bizarre email response had galvanised her to keep using her voice and influence on behalf of Dunedin's Palestinian community. "It says to me that we have made an impact... we touched a nerve and, to be honest, it's a badge of courage because it attracted this attention. "It just reminds us how important this issue is... the plight of our Palestinian community in Ōtepoti Dunedin." The council previously called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for special humanitarian visas for the families of New Zealand's Palestinian community. Those resolutions had triggered some email traffic but nothing like the most recent onslaught, Garey said. In a statement, DCC chief information officer Graeme Riley confirmed each councillor received a total of 2284 emails between July 4 and 14, relating to the Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. The council was not taking any further action, he said. "It is not uncommon for council to receive bulk emails when considering contentious issues, but this example would be at the extreme end of the spectrum in terms of volume."
Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Fear politics could affect South Dunedin flooding action
Long-term solutions for South Dunedin's flood-affected residents could face trouble if "political cycles" get in the way of implementation, a community leader says. An independent reference group established by the Ministry for the Environment this month advised the government to take decisions with urgency so climate adaptation approaches could be "fully in place" by 2045. The central government timeline appears at odds with the multibillion-dollar visions for 2100 presented locally as part of South Dunedin Future — a joint work programme by the Dunedin city and Otago regional councils to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan for the area. South Dunedin Community Network chairman Mike Hammond said the proposed 20-year timeframe for adaptation plans might be more agreeable. "Political cycles can somewhat influence decisions, meaning potential delays and increased costs for longer-term plans," Mr Hammond said. "Being pragmatic and thinking about households who continue to be impacted by flood events, appears to make a 20-year plan sounds like a more common sense option." Today, the Otago Regional Council will consider a report from programme manager Jonathan Rowe on feedback from more than 1200 individuals and organisations on the seven potential plans for South Dunedin's future. Nearly 60% supported an estimated $2.8 billion proposal to create "space for water" in the low-lying suburb by 2100. On the other hand, 73% of respondents said the status quo — which would cost an estimated $2b — was taking South Dunedin in the "wrong direction", Mr Rowe said. The least popular option was to "let water in" and plan a large-scale managed retreat from the area, estimated to cost $5b. The Dunedin City Council will consider the same report at next week's meeting. The Otago Daily Times asked regional and city councillors to weigh in on the matter ahead of the meetings. Some said the planned timeframe was "realistic", or appropriate, given the range of stakeholders and significance of the proposed adaptations. Regional councillor Elliot Weir said while it was critical the city council address short-term issues, the South Dunedin Future programme was focused on long-term planning. "The urgent short-term infrastructure challenges, such as the issues on Surrey St, and the longer-term planning for the future of the entire community are two overlapping but distinct issues and we should be careful not to conflate the two." Other councillors said short-term solutions should be the priority and would better serve South Dunedin residents. They called for continued upgrades of basic infrastructure in the area. City councillor Andrew Whiley said he struggled "with some of the narrative" in Mr Rowe's report, but continually asking residents' thoughts was "not the best plan either". "Many are worn out and just want to see council support them and find some positive short-term solutions." COUNCILLORS' VIEWS Dunedin City Council "This coalition government has certainly not given the current climate crisis the attention it deserves, which extends to not supporting many aspects of the South Dunedin Future work. Thankfully, governments change!" — Cr Steve Walker "We have a great community in South Dunedin. We need to support them. I struggle with some of the narrative in the report but doing nothing is not an option. The likes of Forbury Park, Tonga and Bathgate park are the easiest place to start when it comes to relief areas." — Cr Andrew Whiley "Feedback I've had at community meetings is that some feel we're moving too slowly, however we're talking billion-dollar decisions, so we need to have a comprehensive robust data-driven plan to be able to make those tough decisions we'll have to make." — Cr Sophie Barker "The government has not been forthcoming in indicating its support. In fact, recent announcements signalling no future buyouts by central government is an indication of their abdicating responsibility as we literally weather the storms!" — Cr Christine Garey "Due to more regular rain events central government seems to be taking a reactive approach opposed to a proactive approach to flood management in New Zealand now which is a shame as South Dunedin should qualify as great test case for flood mitigation which could benefit the entire country going forward." — Cr Brent Weatherall Otago Regional Council "As a South Dunedin local, I'm keen for an adaptation plan that is led by the local community, provides intergenerational clarity to residents and property owners, and enables South Dunedin to grow into something even greater than the present day. Change is coming and will cost lots of money, whether we plan for it or not — so we'd be foolish not to." — Cr Elliot Weir "I think grandiose catastrophising has left the residents with less municipal water management than they should be expecting as ratepayers. Hopefully within central government's demands that councils focus on the basics, that DCC sorts what the residents need now as a priority, and worry about the next hundred years in perhaps a hundred years." — Cr Gary Kelliher "Governance and policy makers can do all the consultation, all the future gazing and all the policy development they like but no matter what final decision is made South Dunedin residents need their council to keep the basic infrastructure up to scratch and performing to its designed standards." — Cr Kevin Malcolm "Aligning local body objectives with central government direction, at the moment, seems to be an oxymoron. I would like to think otherwise." — Cr Tim Mepham "It has been a long road of scientific investigation and community engagement to get this far, so let's not rush the final stages of decision making. There is a clear call for some immediate action, along with a long-term plan to set up an enduring future. Nobody wants to return in 20 or 30 years to ask the same questions." — Cr Alan Somerville
Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Bridge could scupper bid to divert heavy traffic
A government proposal to direct traffic around Dunedin's central city could be hampered by an inadequate overbridge, city councillors say. Earlier this month, proposed roading changes aimed at making the area around the new Dunedin hospital safer were released for public consultation. The changes proposed by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) included removing the westbound right turn from St Andrew St on to Cumberland St — northbound heavy traffic was instead expected to use the Ward St overbridge to join the one-way system. Dunedin City Council infrastructure committee chairman Jim O'Malley said the proposal to direct traffic on to the overbridge did not make sense. Following an NZTA report to council in April, Cr O'Malley raised concerns about the bridge's capacity to support extra traffic and said substantial investment was needed to upgrade it. Yesterday, he said he still held concerns about the proposal. "Bottom line is to put everybody over that bridge, it just doesn't make sense — NZTA knows that," he said. "The reality of it is we just can't get the money [to upgrade it]. "We don't have a full metro status in the eyes of NZTA and that shows up in these projects." Cr Lee Vandervis had also raised concerns about the bridge's suitability. "[The] bridge and feeder roads are already at capacity at times," he said yesterday. Other suggestions to limit the St Andrew St traffic flow and railway crossing would make the bridge and the council's Harbour Arterial project — which was intended to provide a safe and efficient alternative route for traffic to bypass the central city — "even more problematic", he said. Council transport group manager Jeanine Benson said the bridge underwent a detailed assessment in 2019 and was used by about 7000 vehicles per day, including about 450 trucks, without significant issues reported. Replacing the bridge had been included in initial plans for stage 4 of the Harbour Arterial project. "This stage of the . . . project would be the most expensive part of the entire project, and there is currently no funding for stage 4 in either the [council's] 9 year plan or the Regional Land Transport Programme," she said. "It's possible this stage may be funded and progress at a later date." Public consultation on NZTA's roading proposal closes on Monday.
