CCC Environment & Infrastructure Committee

Right Direction, More Impetus

Spokes, the Canterbury Cycling Advocacy Group, shared how its vision of making Christchurch one of the Top 5 cycling cities in the world by 2020 might be achieved quickly and cost effectively.

Dr Glen Koorey said that international research consistently shows that if cycling is perceived to be safe, the large non-cycling group of ‘interested but concerned’ citizens would be tempted to within the city. To cater for the AAA (All Ages and Abilities), effect several solutions simultaneously; one size does not fit all. In principle: separate high volume, high speed traffic, paying particular attention to intersections; integrate cycling where there is low volume, low speed traffic (greening the neighbourhoods); and provide lots of interconnecting pathways for non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians.

Spokes Chair, Dr Clare Simpson, noted that, whilst members of the Committee appeared pro-cycling, and that the Council sees itself as a ‘cycling council,’ there was still a desire for ‘black and white’, aka politically expedient, solutions. Unfortunately, transport planning is not that simple and reductionist approaches are seldom sustainable long term.

Councillors said: ‘we should be bold’. Spokes thus challenges them to spend less time debating the details presented to them by the cycling transport planners, who also presented at this meeting today, and put more faith in their staff’s greater knowledge and expertise; they have done thorough research, modelling, cost/benefit analyses, all in the context of the myriad plans and policies that cut across the transport portfolio. They make their recommendations based on these analyses, as well as considering their political implications. Believe and support these; they are giving you good advice.

The question of cost put a wet blanket on the enthusiasm around the table. In ‘reality’, Share an Idea has already given the Councillors a mandate to be ‘bold’. Issues such as being ‘realistic’ are all very well, but what cycling needs is a real champion from amongst the Councillors to propel this issue and get the funds.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage