Zero Carbon
Silver Pine*
Businesses in New Zealand compete on a playing field that undercharges for pollution and thus disadvantages low-carbon and environmentally-friendly practice. Similarly, business-as-usual mindsets hinder low-carbon and environmentally-friendly transport and land use plans. We need strong climate law to break through to progressive action.…
65 Comments The “Progressive NIMBY” conundrum
A recent Huffington Post article shines a light on a rather surprising political battleground in many cities around the world – seemingly progressive residents going feral against change in their neighbourhoods. In May 2018, a public meeting in a wealthy enclave of one of America’s most progressive cities devolved into a two-hour temper tantrum as longtime residents incensed about a proposed tax to fund homeless services shouted down its proponents.…
Auckland Transport’s Parking Nonsense
AT has created a storm that never needed to exist.
Ten years ago, Aucklanders understood the law. You could not park a car on a verge or footpath, and vehicle crossings were for crossing the footpath, not places to park. If you parked there for more than a minute or three, you’d be ready with an apology.…
Auckland Declares a Climate Emergency, but is it enough?
Yesterday the Auckland Council unanimously agreed to declare a climate emergency, joining other cities in New Zealand and around the world in doing so.
“By unanimously voting to declare a climate emergency we are signalling the council’s intention to put climate change at the front and centre of our decision making,” says Mayor Phil Goff
Today, members of Auckland Council’s Environment and Community Committee voted to join a growing community of cities around the world who have formally and publicly recognised the urgency for action on climate change by declaring a climate emergency.…
June-19 AT Board meeting
Today the Auckland Transport board meet again and as usual, here are the highlights from the papers.
Closed Agenda
Like last month, there is little of interest on the closed agenda. The only thing worth noting is it appears we’re soon to hear more about the plans for the transport networks in the greenfield growth areas that were consulted on last year.…
An engineer, a doctor and a councillor walked into a bar…
We have a job this year. Auckland’s future will be influenced by the outcome of the local elections. We need to see our city become safer and healthier, with infrastructure modified for a more affordable and low-carbon future.
Auckland Transport, despite its internal wranglings, has the beginnings of a programme to deliver change.…
A National Public Transport Network
This is a post by Heidi O’Callahan and Greater Auckland reader Paul Callister.
Would you take public transport to another city or small town? Can you imagine regional New Zealand having attractive alternatives to driving?
Greater Auckland’s main focus is on urban planning issues within our city.…
Let’s Get Welly Moving released
Yesterday the Government released a package of investments to improve Wellington’s transport system over the next 20 years – known as the “Let’s Get Welly Moving” project.
Phil Twyford said our Government is tackling the long-term issues and this 20 year plan is a step change for transport in Wellington.…
Won’t Somebody Please Think of the Children?
What pressures on parents! We don’t think the traffic’s safe for our children to venture out in it alone, yet fear the effects of chauffeuring them everywhere too.
Research published last month suggests that if Auckland parents aren’t letting their children walk and cycle unaccompanied, they’ve got good reason to be protective.…
Council to decide on extra CRL funding
Just before Easter we learnt that the City Rail Link was to be around $1 billion more expensive than previously thought thanks to higher than expected construction cost inflation, additional contingency funds, future proofing for 9-car trains and some higher non-direct costs.…
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