1 February 2019

Mayoral Forum endorses Local Government New Zealand report on climate change impacts

At its meeting on Friday 1 February 2019, the Canterbury Mayoral Forum threw its weight behind Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) recommendations in a report on climate change impacts released on 31 January.[1]

As much as $14 billion of local government infrastructure is at risk from sea-level rise. Canterbury has the highest exposure of New Zealand’s 16 regions.

Lianne Dalziel, Chair of the Mayoral Forum, said: “The 10 Mayors of Canterbury and the Chair of the regional council are unanimous in backing LGNZ on this – we need central government to work with us urgently on adaptation to the impacts of climate change on our communities. The time to act is now.”

In May 2017 the Mayoral Forum established a Canterbury climate change working group with representatives from councils across the region. At its meeting today, the Forum reinforced this by setting up a climate change think-tank of Mayors and Chief Executives to provide governance-level support and direction to the regional working group.

Closely related agenda items at today’s meeting included:

· re-affirming the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy and strengthening commitment to its implementation across the region; and

· receiving an interim report on the ‘Fit for the Future’ refresh of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy – a final report will be considered by the Mayoral Forum at its May meeting.

Lianne Dalziel

Chair, Canterbury Mayoral Forum

Mayor, Christchurch City Council

1. Vulnerable: The quantum of local government infrastructure exposed to sea level rise. http://www.lgnz.co.nz/news-and-media/2019-media-releases/14-billion-of-council-infrastructure-at-risk-from-sea-level-rise/

ends

© Scoop Media