Key Takeaways
- The Carterton council’s climate-change adaptation programme is showing early signs of success
- The programme includes initiatives such as no-mow trials in public parks, soft plastic recycling, and addressing water processing issues
- The council’s climate change strategy aims to enhance knowledge and understanding and build a culture of change
- The programme includes a range of initiatives across the council’s business units, including parks and reserves, water, waste, planning, community development, and facilities
- The council has made progress on its district plan, which includes objectives focused on climate change mitigation, adapting to climate change, resilience to natural hazards, water resilience, and renewable energy
Introduction to the Programme
The Carterton council’s climate-change adaptation programme is off to a promising start, with a range of initiatives showing early signs of success. The programme is designed to promote sustainable practices across the council’s business units, and includes initiatives such as no-mow trials in public parks, soft plastic recycling, and addressing water processing issues. According to a spokesperson, "We are doing really well. There is some great stuff happening. Things like the composting trials, waste-minimisation and progress on our district plan. There are good things in there from a climate perspective." The programme is part of the council’s efforts to lead by example and promote a culture of change in the community.
No-Mow Trials and Park Management
One of the initiatives that has shown promise is the no-mow trial, which started in selected parks in September. The trial involves leaving areas such as parks, road verges, or reserves unmown for a period of time to study the benefits of reduced mowing. The current trial is taking place in six parks, including Sparks Park, Carrington Park, and Howard Booth Park. According to a spokesperson, "It’s not the entire park, it’s just a strip of the area – encouraging the wild flowers to grow." The trial is designed to promote biodiversity and reduce the environmental impact of park management.
Community Engagement and Education
The council has also been working to engage with the community and promote education and awareness about climate change. The first two climate community forums, on afforestation and freshwater, took place in October and November, with more planned for the future. The council has also encouraged community engagement through initiatives such as ‘plastic free July’ and ‘clean-up’ week in September. Additionally, the council has switched to domestic rubbish bags with higher recycled content and provided support for Carterton’s community gardens, foodbank, and composting initiatives. These initiatives are designed to promote a culture of sustainability and encourage the community to take action on climate change.
Water Management and Processing
The council has also made progress on water management and processing, with the opening of the Waignawa process water project in September. The project provides low-cost, non-potable water to businesses within the Waingawa industrial area, reducing the use of chemicals and power by not using potable water for process water. This initiative is part of the council’s efforts to promote water resilience and reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
District Plan and Climate Change Strategy
The council’s district plan, which is currently in development, includes objectives focused on climate change mitigation, adapting to climate change, resilience to natural hazards, water resilience, and renewable energy. The plan is designed to guide decision-making and promote a culture of sustainability in the community. The council’s climate change strategy, which was adopted in April, aims to enhance knowledge and understanding and build a culture of change so that the council can lead by example. According to the report, "Climate change, natural hazard risk, and resilience are central themes woven throughout the proposed district plan."
Conclusion and Future Directions
Overall, the Carterton council’s climate-change adaptation programme is showing promising signs of success, with a range of initiatives promoting sustainable practices and community engagement. The programme is part of the council’s efforts to lead by example and promote a culture of change in the community. As the programme continues to develop, it is likely to have a positive impact on the environment and the community, and provide a model for other councils to follow. With its focus on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, the programme is an important step towards creating a more sustainable future for the community.
