What is your vision for waiheke?
Jan
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Candidate
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Awaiting response
My vision is for an island that \"grows in its own image\". That is, we develop new and better ways of doing things, but based on local knowledge and aspirations, and we do this in harmony with our natural environment.
The environmental regeneration project, that has been going on for thirty years or more, is very impressive. There are a lot of people involved and they work together so that now we not only have native plants and trees regenerating here, but wildlife is beginning to return. We all need to work to support this by controlling weeds and pests throughout the island.
As far as our community is concerned we must feel more empowered from within ourselves, and utterly reject the Auckland City argument that we are some sort of cost on them. Many people on the island rely upon income from visitors but we must achieve this in our own way and according to our own values. We are first and foremost an island known for its wonderful environment, and then for its arts and culture. We should be proud of these things and find ways to nurture them.
We should also be experimental in addressing some of the larger problems faced by the whole planet, for these will affect future generations and we have a responsibility to them to begin the process of addressing their future problems.
Recognition as Unesco Biosphere Reserve is, to me, very important but it is a means to an end. That end is an island dedicated to sustainable development, where the essential elements of our environment and community are protected for future generations.
- Colin Beardon
Awaiting response
Hi Jan
The vision I hold is around protecting our environment, and making sure that our decisions align to ensure that not only now but future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty of the island.
Part of this will be to ensure that the rules that govern us - whether they are in regards to development, waste, water, employment, tourism are aligned towards this vision.
thanks
Charissa
Now that\\\'s a big question!
Development is now centred around sustainable local initiatives for renewable energy for houses and transport, food production, business and low impact tourism. Public transport systems are greatly improved to the point where people are happy to leave their cars at home to save time and money. On demand shuttles appear when you request them and take you where you want to go paid for by yearly passes.
Local businesses are performing to high standards and people are buying local as never before encouraging local employment.
Large scale developments have become a thing of the past because the world financial climate has moved away from an endless growth mentality towards a new view of sustainable living and world populaiton has started to stabliise. Resources in general are becoming in short supply and people have become very aware of the need to recycle resources, \\\'not waste\\\'.
Far fewer people are needing to commute to Auckland because they are finding work on the island and the using the internet for work.
Septic systems have moved to composting and biological systems that require much less water and the local council has changed building regulation to make this a requirment for new buidlings. Because of this effluent disposal systems have become smaller and more efficient and problems of run off are decreasing markedly.
Ferry services are now nationalised and fares are set by users to reflect the true cost of running the service.
The Super \\\"City\\\" is now called the Super Region and the Local Board has 10 members who are heavily involved with incorporating the expertise of the community and its projects into the budgetting and planning process.
I wont go on but you get the idea.
Hi Jan,
I see Waiheke as having the potential to make itself a leader in sustainable practices, and to establish working ties with institutions around New Zealand to foster innovative, progressive solutions to the challanges the island faces.
Regards,
Millie
