VOTE FOR NATURE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL - PHOTO BY CRAIG MCKENZIE - FOREST AND BIRD
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Vote for Nature
Dunedin City Council
Photo by Craig McKenzieThe following candidates completed our questionnaire: ● Scout Barbour-Evans ● Sophie Barker ● Bob Barlin ● David Benson-Pope ● Sarah Davie-Nitis ● John Guthrie ● Dave Hanan ● Aaron Hawkins ● Carmen Houlahan ● Neville K Jemmett ● Marie Laufiso ● Jason Lindsey ● Peter Mackenzie ● Mandy Mayhem Bullock ● Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle ● Richard Seager ● Chris Staynes ● Callum Steele-MacIntosh ● Steve Walker ● Andrew Whiley The following candidates submitted late answers: • Christine Garey • Rachel Elder The following candidates did not complete our questionnaire: ● Richard Bowman ● Finn Campbell ● Rachel Elder ● Hugh Forsyth ● Christine Garey ● Doug Hall ● Muthiah James ● Anthony Kenny ● Mike Lord ● Russell Lund ● John Marrable ● Brian Miller ● George Morris ● Damian Newell ● Jim O’Malley ● Jules Radich ● Hadley Robinson-Lewis ● Lee Vandervis
Scout Barbour-Evans Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Climate change is one of the greatest threats to my generation, and it's no longer existential. We know that South Dunedin will be one of the first places in the entire country to experience the effects of sea level rise due to climate change, and we have already experienced the increasing wild weather and seasonal changes that we are due to expect. This has impacts on the fragile ecosystems across our coastline, as well as on our people. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? I will begin to address coastal erosion caused by the development of dams up the Clutha River (our historic source of new sand along our coastline), and continue the planting of native trees along the peninsula but also other parts of Ōtepoti. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? We have te tiriti and moral obligations to ensure that we protect the whenua because it is a taonga. We cannot survive if our water, our food sources are damaged from commercial activities. I do not support commercial operations which cause devastation to our environment, or which have extremely high risk of that like oil or mining. It's a matter of survival for us and for Ōtepoti's ecosystems. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? I am pleased that the council has made moves to combat this already, such as declaring a climate emergency, working to become carbon neutral, and addressing the neglected infrastructure in South Dunedin that is not coping with the wild weather that climate change brings. I would ensure that none of these actions are repealed, continue to oppose gas and oil exploration or drilling off our shore, stand opposed to mining at Foulden Moor and other historic sites, and if the central government ever changes legislation so that city councils can
manage bus networks, work to turn our public transport systems into sustainable, attractive options for everyone with the privilege to be able to take the option. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? I will stand firm on preventing ocean pollution from commercial operations, including that of Ravensdown and other industrial sites in our harbour and on our coastline. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes, I do. Until we have a better option, this is all we've got - our ecosystems can't take the hit of waiting for a more targeted method. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? I support the targeted release of illnesses that have been used in rabbit management. I support removing and destroying wilding pines from non-forestry sites, as laborious as it is. I support the use of 1080 and I support managed hunting activities to control pests. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? I say often that I am not an expert in these sorts of topics, and this is certainly the case within this survey. I can commit to making the best choices I can, within the realm of the job I can elected to do, and voting with my values of humanity, environmentalism and sustainable practice based on the advice I receive from experts in the relevant fields. I cannot pretend to be a scientist in this area.
Sophie Barker Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Climate Change is the most pressing issue. We need to both lobby central government to act plus also act ourselves. This means we need to ensure we have a plan, both to work towards lower emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. A panel of experts to inform a Climate Change Strategy for the city is imperative. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? 1. Revisit the Te Ao Turoa Strategy and reprioritise actions. Strategies without prioritised actions and implementation plans aren't working for us. 2. Make the Dunedin Destination Plan into a workable document as its imperative that we manage visitor's impacts on the wildlife and natural places. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? I currently work for the Otago Peninsula Trust, which runs the Royal Albatross Centre and is in a JV with the Korako Karetai Trust for Blue Penguins Pukekura. Our motto is "birds first". We think very hard about how to manage visitors and commercial activities to ensure great outcomes for nature - I would bring this same thinking to decisions weighing up commercial/environmental activities What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Working towards making the city carbon neutral to carbon positive. The DCC should be a leader and demonstrate by doing - ie making the Council carbon neutral as a first step. Council needs to empower residents to lower their carbon footprints - using education and opportunities ie encouraging higher bus use, walking and cycling. The city also needs to ensure with city planning that we remain a compact city that is easy and efficient to get around.
What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? 1. Get the science and experts involved to show what we can affect, then put those actions into our plan. 2. Lobby for more marine reserves - a concern is whether the marine birds have enough food to support themselves and their families. 3. Work on making Dunedin an environmental leader eg around plastic free eg we are seeing albatross feeding their chicks plastic Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes, according to the science this is the most effective method of predator control What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Support Predator Free NZ and Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group in their work. Create a strategy for pest plants - it seems pest animals get the most attention however pest plants seems to be getting ou of control, especially on Otago Peninsula. I run a "Pestival' Pesky Pests Hunt annually to help educate children to recognise local pests. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Revisit the Environment Strategy and specifically target actions we can influence over Fresh Water health. eg reduce pollution and waste water. Add in actions, timelines, KPIs Work with ORC to prioritise fresh water initiatives.
Bob Barlin Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? The possibility of and prior planning for sea levels rising. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? There are many subjects that require working on. In this case I would expect you to help me by providing a clear case as to your priorities and what assistance you need. I am on side. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? The ideal case is for both parties to work together respectfully to resolve issues. I am pro the environment and each case would be different and would need to be assessed individually. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? There are two aspects here. Matters that we can carry out to assist, and those matters such as rising sea levels that are very much outside our capability to control. I intend to form a Mayoral Task Force to look into all aspects and provide solutions. Quicker than later. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Happy to listen to advice here but one thing would be to build a family education facility as part of the waterfront beautification. This would present the Dunedin area as it used to be, how it is today and what we can all do to restore it.
Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? 1080 is a very debateable subject. But in areas where no other option is available and where there is no threat to non targeted wildlife and humans I support it. Cost effectiveness needs to be looked at as an individual case. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Any that do no harm to humans or non targeted wildlife. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? To answer this question I would have to know what the current status is. What is being undertaken and options to move forward. I remember when we could drink from any stream, that is where we should aim.
David Benson-Pope Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? The effects of climate change and loss of biodiversity What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Landscape protection and regeneration (already contained in 2GP rules) and continued protection of high class soils. Also extended predator control. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? In terms of our planning documents and associated environmental assessment reports. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Our Carbon targets, no council investment in the oil industry, opposition to exploration in the Great South Basin, investigation of a district heating scheme (in association with the Hospital build), more efficient and cheaper public transport, low/no-emission central city bus loop, increased pedestrianisation of core urban areas. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Extensive predator control, improved management of stormwater contamination, ban on set- netting. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes.
What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Methods appropriate to the issue and location. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? More an issue for Government and the Regional Council, but the DCC also has a significant role to play in ensuring its own activities do not contribute to contamination. How would you approach applications from businesses to use water, for example for irrigation? With great skepticism.
Sarah Davie-Nitis Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Tricky question! I'm not sure any of the environmental issues we face are more pressing than others. Top 3 = heavy rain and storm water, coastal erosion, and water quality - related to both urban and rural land use and discharges. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? 1. Supporting the governments 1 billion trees project, facilitating local collaborations to get planting projects underway 2. Pushing for reserve management How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? I would ensure information is available from a variety of credible sources. I would look to see if there is a point of harmony between commercial activity and the environment. If the environment is affected, how can the commercial activity by modified to provide environmental protection. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? 1. Evident attempts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy source. 2. Proactive in their investigations into what can be done in South Dunedin, also lobbying government to help identify possible solutions and funding streams. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Upgrade of wastewater treatment plant at Warrington!
Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes, in areas where other methods are not practicable. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Localised initiatives What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Monitoring content of storm water discharges in to streams, rivers, lakes. Monitoring and managing land use around streams, rivers and lakes. Encourage positive recreational spaces facilitating awareness and respect.
Rachel Elder Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Clean Water What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Tree Planting - having a workshop with landowners and the 1billion trees programme to enable more to access the funding. Stream restoration - Commit to new water standards and work with our business and local communities to engage with the changes that need through education and creating shared values and visions. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Holding hui/meetings to create shared values and visions. Taking people on the journey so that they too can embrace environmental values and understand the need for change would be my first response. We do have to regulate as well. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Again - I think this is a Hikoi/Journey. We have committed to climate change actions across all of our strategies. The interesting thing is much of the changes we are looking for are also good on many other level's and I think we need to message that. For example encouraging walking, biking, is good for one's health and well being. Increasing the use of Public Transport and working with ORC and other large institutions around reducing cost and incentive's. Biodiversity - encouraging the planting of trees and pest control. Changing our waste system so more can be recycled plus educating people to reduce, reuse, recycle are important.
What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Our Yellow Eyed Penguins are a concern - protecting habitat's at certain times of year, reducing pest numbers. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes - until they find a more effective way to reduce pest numbers. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Trapping, poisoning, spraying ( eg Gorse, Broom ) The Halo Project and the Peninsula Project are great example's of what can be done. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? A regime of water testing. Education and forums. Local community responses - encouraging work days, volunteering etc through programme's like Keep Dunedin Beautiful.
Christine Garey Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? While there are other immediate issues, the overarching issue is the impact of climate change which we are already experiencing through severe weather events. The possibility of losing so many of our flora and fauna species as the climate changes is unthinkable. Urgent action is imperative. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? 1. Continued efforts towards a pest free Dunedin - I have seen the difference the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group have made through their work to native flora and fauna and I marvel every day at the birdsong that was not evident even a few years ago. 2. Continued support for the DCC Biodiversity Fund through which many local projects are given financial assistance. I have served on the Grants Sub-Committee over the past three years and seen the outcomes that has produced and how it encourages individuals and local organisations to plant and work to restore the biodiversity of the land they care for. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Environmental protection and commercial activities don't have to be mutually exclusive. I am a qualified and practising RMA commissioner so have seen those tensions first hand and they are often complex. Tourism is one current example of an activity that is a significant economic driver for our city, yet the outstanding natural environment and the flora and fauna the visitors come to see, need protection with increasing numbers of visitors. Smoothing out seasonality will bring benefits for not only the environment but also for tourism operators and those employed in the sector and for the visitor experience. Encouraging operators to commit to sustainable practices is another mechanism. The untapped potential is the visitors who want to give back to this beautiful place, making a contribution of money or time to the wildlife or natural environment be it through e.g Trees that Count. We need to embed that thinking in our visitor offerings to benefit our environment.
What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Embed climate action into all of Council's thinking and decision making Educate the community so that we take everyone with us Continue to collect data in South Dunedin with GNS, ORC towards evidence based decision making with the community to combat the effects of climate change Put together a coastal erosion plan for the local coastline with the best expertise Explore a condition for all conference attendees, to sign up to a tree planting scheme to offset their travel Work towards an affordable, efficient, low carbon emission bus transport system to get those out of their cars that can, ensuring there alternatives e.g more mobility parks for those who can't Support and promote the NZTA commuter e-bike scheme to large employers Become the 'E-bike capital of NZ' Complete the city cycleways to make cycling a safe option Ensure there are more EV charging stations and places to charge e-bikes throughout the city Support the use of alternative transport modes What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Involve harbour edge communities and especially local school children in understanding their local ecosystem, to value marine species in their area. Support the development of a world class marine centre as part of the harbour basin development and support the marine studies department of the university which brings scientists from all over the world Work with ORC on specific strategies within their jurisdiction. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes but used only where necessary and with care
What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Ensure contractors are doing this as part of their contracts Involve communities and primary aged children by supporting schemes already in place DCC Biodiversity Fund - continued support and investment Support of local environmental groups who do this work most effectively e.g OPBG, Halo Project . What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? More oversight and action by ORC in their areas of jurisdiction Working with ORC to improve out waterways
John Guthrie Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? All forms of pollution What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Climate change friendly behaviour Clean water How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Always a balance What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? The way the Council behaves and the way it encourages the city of Dunedin citizens to behave What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Protection zones Anti pollution policies and actions Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Emotive question. My short answer would be YES but my honest answer is I don't know enough about it - but there are a lot of people who do
What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Education programmes for both plants and animals Action plans involving the Council and Forest & Bird What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Any action that restores Dunedin waterways and water supplies to ecological health
Dave Hanan Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Climate change impacts on South Dunedin. This would be an easier question if it was ORC I was standing for What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Much of this question sit in the realms of ORC eg wildling pines, rabbits, possums, invasive weeds, water quality, etc. However to protect and restore nature we can all play a part. On land managed by the DCC pest and weed control is critical. The city can also work with land owners facilitating support and help for them to do same. Aspects of the District Plan could also be changed to provide greater protection to our outstanding natural feature landscapes. As a Councillor I would be ensuring that the land uses are appropriate for the development. Discharges to air and water are the responsibility of the ORC. While that sounds like duck shoving that is the way the RMA works. However I support the ORC to ensure the land activities will not harm the environment. As a Councillor I want to make sure that the city's aging infrastructure is up to scratch to avoid accidental discharges which could harm the environment How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? There is a harmony between environment and economics. However it is fundamental that whatever project is planned does not permanently harm the environment. Simply put if you ruin the environment then we all have nothing. Sustainability is critical to the long term survival of ecosystems of which we are part of. I am a believer in the bulls-eye model of sustainability, which is environment, social values and economics. None should outweigh each other for example economics/commercial activities should not come at the expense of social values or environment. If this happens then the project is unsustainable.
What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Ban all ships entering Otago waters which are not using MARPOL complaint fuels - ships are a major polluter spewing out NOx CO2 SOx and NOTHING is done. In fact NZ make and sell this awful fuel at Marsden Point. I believe hydrogen is the fuel of the future. We need to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure to facilitate this. Lithium is simply another "oil" a rare earth metal that will eventually be mined out. Preparing for climate change by studying predicted impacts and planning for them. Advocating govt for subsidies for a shift to more energy efficient cars and a shift to a hydrogen based economy. Establishing more inner city charging stations should be undertaken in the mean time. Council fleet also needs to be reviewed so that older cars are replace. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? I support quotas, marine reserves, greater vessel monitoring, species bans alternative fishing methods which are not destructive to sea floor. Again sustainability is the key to this resource. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? All methods need to be considered. There is not just one silver bullet. Pest eradication plans need to be considered to get the best kill. For example large remote areas 1080 seems to be the best choice whereas in urban areas trapping and bait stations is the way to go.
What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Fenced riparian strips, catchment management, appropriate land use along the catchment, avoiding discharge into streams and rivers, limiting nitrogen runoff. Dairy farms need to be a consent activity in Otago.
Aaron Hawkins Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Climate change is the biggest issue facing us right now, but we can't afford to lose sight of the fact that we're also in an ecological crisis that requires urgent attention. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? 1. Establishing a Fighting Fund For Nature. $1m a year funded by the DCC and ORC to support community and commercial initiatives that support our zero carbon and biodiversity goals. 2. Continue our support for Predator Free Dunedin, The Wildlife Hospital and council's Biodiversity Fund, which supports ecological restoration on private land. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Council's strategic framework includes both environmental and economic objectives, with the overarching principles of Sustainability and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Also, council's now once again have to consider our community's social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing. These things need to be considered holistically, which is to say I don't support "economic benefit" as a priority above anything else. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? We can support the transition to a low carbon economy most effectively through our direct role in transport and waste management. Cheaper (ultimately free) bus fares, and safer walking and cycling, to reduce dependence on private motor vehicles. Reducing waste to landfill by supporting a circular economy to waste rather than a linear one.
In terms of adaptation, invest in people and pipes that can absorb more of the wild weather that will be thrown our way. Stronger communities are an essential part of our city's climate resilience. We also need to work with our regional friends to involve them in this work, because climate change doesn't stop at the border, and advocate for greater involvement by central government in supporting this. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? The responsibility for marine ecosystems and land use planning sits with the Otago Regional Council, but I would make two comments. 1. It's disappointing that Otago remains the only region in the country that doesn't have a marine reserve off its coast, at the same time being home to some of our most precious and endangered taoka species. This needs revisiting at a central government level. 2. We do have the responsibility of managing beaches though, and we need to constantly monitor the effectiveness of the Beaches & Reserves Bylaw particularly as it relates to the threat of injury to wildlife from animals. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Management of pest species is a function of regional government, but I would continue to push the ORC to be more ambitious on this front. I think we need to acknowledge that the answers to these challenges don't always sit behind a desk in the council building. Council has been a significant funder of the Predator Free Dunedin project, and is leading the Urban Linkages part of this project. On a smaller scale we've worked with community groups to fight the spread of the invasive sycamore tree.
The Fighting Fund For Nature would be open to any community or commercial initiative that contributes to our zero carbon or biodiversity goals. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Supporting the fencing off of waterways and riparian planting on private land is enabled through grants from council's Biodiversity Fund. We need to build on the work we're doing building relationships with farmers and landowners, and supporting them to do this work.
Carmen Houlahan Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Heavy rain that floods South Dunedin, the threat to species like the Yellow Eyed Penguins from Climate Change and Climate Change in general What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Replace and upgrade the infrastructure in South Dunedin to help prevent further flooding. Ensure infrastructure that provides drinking water to Dunedin residents is of a high standard. I am a strong advocate for not selling our water and protecting it for future generations. Dunedin has declared a climate change emergency so all decisions made at the Council will be influenced by this and aimed at helping to prevent further damage How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Consult with all parties involved and work through problems to try to create opportunities for all involved. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? The DCC has declared a climate emergency so I will support this if elected. It will be something that will be considered when making decisions for the future of our city What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Education is a big thing. Our children go to a gold enviro school. I would love all children to have this opportunity. I will promote enviro schools as I am an advocate as it educates children from an early age about looking after the environment and studying and understanding the ecosystems around them.
I used to be a fisheries and conservation reporter when I worked in a newsroom so I have an interest in fisheries and conservation. My Iwi is Ngai Tahu so I take the guardianship of our environment very seriously. It is important that we protect these resources for ourselves and future generations. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? I would prefer DOC and Councils found more environmentally friendly forms of pest eradication. 1080 has been banned in some countries around the world because it is so toxic. I am concerned about it killing native birds, getting into waterways and affecting drinking water What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? The most environmentally friendly as possible What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Eliminate discharge into waterways where at all possible. Education is key. Encourage people to wash their cars over a grass area and try to avoid letting dirty soapy water and other contaminates pour down the drains and into waterways.
Neville K Jemett Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Global Warming. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Provide a safe and pest free environment and provide maintain a sound breeding programme. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Commercial activities can be placed anywhere it is more important to protect our environment. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Global warming programme and becoming eco friendly. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? create more reserves in the most endangered region. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? I do not have sufficient information on the danger to birds and animals to be for or against but if is not a major problem then I support the removal of predators
What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? regular research on numbers and control What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? sort out the farming near waterways problem, erredicate the noxious weed and work out a cleaning programme for our waterways. We need clean and healthy water so we must act now. How would you approach applications from businesses to use water, for example for irrigation? i blieve that there is a need for irrigation water in many areas and this must be acknowledged by ORC but there must be a reasonable agreement between the farmer and ORC
Marie Laufiso Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Recovery from the last 32 years of damage caused by the 4th Labour Government’s “Rogernomics” policies and practices. Essentially, these plus “Ruthanasia” have “munted” all our communities and the planet for the next 7 Generations. I believe that the imposing of climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes on the communities that can least afford them is as foolhardy as the west’s pursuit of economic “growth” and dominance over the last 530 years. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? From my perspective, our (us “well-heeled, two-leggeds”) assumption that we can protect and restore “nature” - when we’re the problem – and have been, for the last 7 Generations - is short-sighted. We have to encourage direct participation of and leadership from more “flax-roots-and- grass-roots” Young People, whānau and communities in the City Council’s strategic decision-making. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? As far as I’m concerned, Te Tīriti o Waitangi (the only version that William Hobson signed) is the ultimate reference / policy document for all governmental (local or central) decisions – and particularly as they affect and impact on Papatūānuku. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? With the Climate Change Emergency declared in June, 2019 – the Council’s work programme is already mapped out for us. That mahi / work is already happening – via the DCC’s strategic framework (8 strategies) has started and specific actions by the DCC centre around accelerating this. The 8 strategies are under-pinned/contextualised by 2 principles: The Treaty of Waitangi and Sustainability.
Specific actions 1. Deepen our working relationship with Mana Whenua through Aukaha. 2. Support 1 by investing further in and resource all our communities to be more directly involved in their hopeful recovery and re-generation. 3. We should massively increase resources so that Mana whenua Rangatahi i and other Young People Leaders can empower themselves. 4. As well, we should lobby all Dunedin employers to pay the Living Wage. Substantially increasing grants’ funding to Waste Minimisation, community organisations and Place-Based groups. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? As far as I’m concerned, Te Tīriti o Waitangi (the only version that William Hobson signed) is the ultimate reference / policy document for all governmental (local or central) decisions – and particularly as they affect and impact on Papatūānuku. Specific actions from my perspective centre around local Te Tīriti o Waitangi education programmes supported by the DCC. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? Yes What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? As far as I’m concerned, Te Tīriti o Waitangi (the only version that William Hobson signed) is the ultimate reference / policy document for all governmental (local or central) decisions – and particularly as they affect and impact on Papatūānuku. Specific actions from my perspective centre around local Te Tīriti o Waitangi education programmes supported by the DCC.
What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? As far as I’m concerned, Te Tīriti o Waitangi (the only version that William Hobson signed) is the ultimate reference / policy document for all governmental (local or central) decisions – and particularly as they affect and impact on Papatūānuku. Specific actions from my perspective centre around local Te Tīriti o Waitangi education programmes supported by the DCC.
Jason Lindsey Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Obviously, a rising ocean is a serious concern, but the biggest issues are curbing energy consumption and understanding our waste cycle. With energy consumption, even sceptics can get behind ideas that either simplify their lives or save them money (e.g., LED lights). We need to focus on solutions that appeal to those two persuasions. We also need to educate the public more on the waste cycle. We often throw stuff into our yellow bins and feel like, "I've done my part", when that's not necessarily the right answer. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? I like the idea of expanding the halo project around Orokonui. Expanding the population of native birds gives us a real point of difference with other cities, while strengthening those populations. It's also important that we empower community groups to do more. They have more intimate knowledge on how to improve and protect their natural assets, and empowering those groups creates better community bonds. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? It is probably more important than ever that we advocate for environmental stewardship, and make sacrifices that we can survive from. It is important that we work hard towards innovative solutions that help us to create new industries that align with the future, and don't cling to the past in ways that we'll be left behind. It's important that we use that as our ultimate motivation while being sympathetic to the fact that people have livelihoods that may be affected by these decisions. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Promoting & Profiling what we are doing and what we can do better to protect our environment is important to getting buy-in from our community. Any moves to deliver a low carbon transport system are beneficial, as well. It's also critical that have access to
information on what is actually happening in our environment and that we have a clear understanding of what that data means. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Continued monitoring of fishing is important and creating and enforcing reserves so that populations are able to recover and thrive is key to our marine environment, and also the longevity for fishing industries. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? While I've heard compelling arguments from both sides of this argument, I lean towards the argument that this is a necessary evil, and does more good than harm for the overall health of our ecosystem. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Trapping and hunting seem to be the best actions in areas where it's practical. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? I think farmers often get painted as uncaring villains when it comes to pollution of our local waters, but I think that we need to do more to help them protect their water ways, that they all know are in their best interest to protect. Most farmers that I've met are willing to put in the effort to do better, and the answers aren't all that complicated.
Peter MacKenzie Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Water quality. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Exemplary water and sewage treatment and catchment protection. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Based on evidence, having environmental protections the priority. Industry is essential for society and needs to be strategically managed with efficiency and respect for our inheritance of land, water and air, plus health in general. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Efficient road routes with separated cycle and pedestrian lanes. Policies to encourage clean transport and cut climate change emissions by council and citizens. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Catchment cleanups and riparian native plantings, plus marine sanctuaries, restoring and expanding native bush throughout the city. Extensive trapping and shooting of pests. No inhumane poisoning. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? No, I support the proven shooting and trapping methods I know to be effective from people who have made their living doing that.
What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? See above, as well as growing natives through horse and proven permaculture or novel methods that are producing sound results without introducing poisons into our environment. Backing the work of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and scientists such as herpetologist Mandy Tochet and others to help create and manage sanctuaries fir rare and endangered species. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Encouraging full sewage treatment and eliminating E.coli sources. Riverside national be plantings and supporting freshwater fish scientists such as Setta McQueen to assist with understanding and managing freshwater life.
Mandy Mayhem-Bullock Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Increased extreme weather events What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Coastal erosion (restoration of plantings and other forms of protection) Continual planting plans for carbon absorption around our city How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Seek alternatives and fairly weigh up all options and solutions before making a decision but we cannot condone commercial activities at the detriment of the natural environment. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Improving Active and Public transport for residents of the city. Management and reduction of waste. Council developed an ethical investment policy, which excluded fossil fuel extraction. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? I am a newly appointed ambassador for the Endangered Species Foundation, in this role I will raise the profile of the foundation, raise funds and grow networks to ensure no more species extinction. Biodiversity for plants and animals on the top 10 most endangered species. Maui Dolphin being number one, Coastal peppercress, eyelash seaweed, Dune swale daphne etc The local marine protection network for areas of the southeastern coastline
Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? I do for the time being , But we must actively seek an alternative method that will be safe for our waterways and wildlife. Cost effective should not be a measure, environmental integrity should. I prefer trapping as a safe option that could be intensified with more financial support What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Live trapping ( The halo programme as a local example ) Urban gorse and broom programmes Landowner led rabbit and possum control plans What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Riparian planting ideal for slowing down and protecting waterways. More needs to be done to reduce phosphorus, nitrogen and E.coli entering the waterway, in both rural and urban settings.Farmers fencing their stock way from waterways is a start, this needs enforcing.
Malcolm Moncrief-Spittle Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? The most pressing environmental issue is that the environmental movement has largely been hi-jacked by a focus on climate change and reducing CO2 emissions. For example, there is now a worldwide climate alarmist group calling itself "Extinction Rebellion," with a local membership in Dunedin. Yet the causes of extinctions in the sixth great extinction event are not the increase in CO2 to over 400 ppm, or the 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, but are still these three causes (in no particular order): (1) Habitat loss. (2) Direct targeting of species (through e.g. over-fishing, hunting, poaching). (3) Introduced species (predators or competitors). What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? (1) We should value our biodiversity and ecosystems because it is intrinsically valuable in itself, and not just because of any utility it may have to humans. (2) We should educate the public on how the environmental movement has been hi-jacked by climate change alarmists, creating a social mass-hysteria that is doing nothing for the environment. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? A key concept here is sustainability. I like Patrick Moore's conception of sustainability, in his book "Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout" (Vancouver, B.C.: Beatty Street, 2013 revised edition) to quote: "Sustainable development requires that we continue to obtain the food, energy, and materials necessary for our civilization, and perhaps even increase these resources in developing countries, while at the same time working to reduce our negative impacts on the
environment through changes in our behavior (practices) and changed in our technologies." (p. 14.) Particular unique or even irreplaceable features of environments do need to be given extra weight. But balance is also required - sometimes it seems like environmentalists find something special about the site of every new mining proposal or hydro-electric power project. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Climate crisis has been much over-stated. To be frank, I think climate change alarmism has hi-jacked much of the environmental movement. I am a life member of Forest and Bird, and have noticed in recent years increasing amounts of climate change coverage. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? This is an area mostly outside of DCC management and control, but I support marine reserves, fisheries quotas, public education about our marine ecosystems. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? I object to 1080 because I think poisoning is inhumane. We wouldn't allow farm animals or domestic pets to die in such a way. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? Predator-proof fencing. Without eradicating pest animals completely, their populations will rebound, so it seems to me that predator-proof "islands" are a good solution, rather than continual poisoning. Pest plants is more the area of Otago Regional Council, but I think DCC could do more on the problem of very invasive sycamore.
What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Streamside planting with native vegetation. Spawning areas for our native galaxiids. No obstacles in waterways for migrating eels.
Richard Seager Standing for Mayor and City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Climate change. Specifically for South Dunedin and other coastal regions nearby it is the potential impact of sea level rise, stronger and more frequent storms and the consequent erosion of coastal areas or inundation of sea water to these areas. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? * Reduce car use in urban areas. * Encourage the use of cycles, walking and public transport. At the same time as doing this you can take the emphasis away from ashphalt and provide pleasant tree and plant dominated environments making the city a vastly more pleasant place to live, work and study in. The Netherlands has done this well and places like Stevenage in the United Kingdom have only gone halfway meaning that it has had no uptake unlike the Netherlands. So there is a need to do both of the above well, not just one of them. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? Environment first, any development should ideally be neutral or positive in its impacts on the environment. And Resource Management Act approval should not come down to how nice your presentation of those impacts is What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? Positive actions rather than just words. Increase cycling, walking and public transport infrastructure in urban areas. Build park and ride facilities on the outskirts of those areas. Look at what can be grown in the region that might take up CO2 or that will have less CO2 and water input into its growth. Build wind and solar (and maybe wave) power generation facilities so as the potential increase in electricity demand from such things as an increase in
the use of electric cars is catered for at a very low CO2 cost. And to provide more resilience to the local part of the power grid. What specific actions do you support to protect and restore marine species and ecosystems in our region? Addressing climate change is the most important issue here. Increasingly warmer waters are causing species from outside the region to enter it and potentially replace species native to the region because they are more suited to the changed conditions. Otherwise it's a case of opposing oil and gas drilling off the coast by OMV, an Austrian/Russian based company with no investment in the local community with the risk that they may nevertheless potentially spoil greatly the local environment, the costs for cleanup maybe falling locally, for their own profit motives. Do you support the use of 1080 to control invasive predators in areas where other methods are not practicable, or where this is the most cost-effective method? I am neutral on this topic as I have not become involved in it and do not know the arguments of either side. But I certainly think that it is a potentially problematic way of dealing with such pests. And I do not think that the cheapest method is always the best method. But I am leaving my options open. What specific actions do you support to control or eradicate pest animals and plants? No current opinion. I would need to look at it more closely. What specific council actions would you support to return streams, rivers, and lakes in our region to ecological health? Where it is relevant to help dairy and stock farmers move to an agriculture/horticulture that is less impactful on the environment (which inludes the rivers, lakes and streams). To look at which crops are suited to the local conditions and work with the farmers and relevant organistations & commerical operations to make sure that there is a market for them.
It is also important to stop blaming farmers as their health also needs protecting and this (our environment and the impacts on it from our activities) is everyone’s problem. We need to work together.
Chris Staynes Standing for City Council What is the most pressing environmental issue in our region? Water quality. The quality of rivers and streams in our area, (Dunedin City) are all suffering from contamination, be it from sewerage overflows during storm events, storm water carrying run-off from our roads or from farming. Measures to remove these contaminants form our waterways must be a focus for both the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council as correcting these will require significant investment and will take several years. What are the top two actions to protect and restore nature you would commit to if elected? Maintaining a high focus on the upgrading of the City’s sewage and storm water infrastructure with priority being given to those parts of the network that contribute most to the contamination. How would you approach decisions where you have to weigh up commercial activities and environmental protection? After experiencing the issues surrounding Foulden Marr and Saddle Hill I feel a very cautious approach is required. While many activities that have the potential to cause environmental harm must be granted a consent under the RMA not all do so Council must seek, and listen to advice from both the public and expert organisations and take them into account before endorsing or consenting these activities. The environment is easily damaged and repairing it is difficult, expensive and not always possible so extreme caution needs to be taken. What specific actions by the council do you support to combat the climate crisis? The first and most urgent action is to prepare a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy that clearly highlights the key action areas. This strategy should be accompanied by an action plan and budget estimates for the work to be completed during next 5-10-years. The strategy and accompanying plan must be completed in time for the budget to be included in the 2021/31 Long Term Plan. Progress against the plan targets should be
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