There is much to celebrate in, on and around the Christchurch Estuary – as shining symbol of the city’s proud East. So many planning issues pertain, especially will the north shore (Southshore-South Brighton) receive the same level of investment and protections as the south (Ferrymead to Sumner)? The rating bases, reflecting the kinds of land built upon, are vastly different. But at last some measure of comfort and support has been directed to the north, where planning proves difficult: Council finally agrees to repair earthquake damage along Christchurch’s Avon Heathcote Estuary – Press, 29 Aug 2019.

With roots from the 1970s Christchurch Estuary Association, that successfully pressured to have the sewage ocean outfall built for improved ecology and safety of water users, we helped wind this up in 2018 and direct all support to the newer Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust – with its ongoing practical work for volunteers and science.

Earthquake damage and community concerns have been equally acute in the Port Hills coastal communities, Ferrymead to Sumner. Sea-level rise and emergency preparedness – with challenges of potential isolation and evacuation – force them to keep their eye on the planning and governance ball. Keeping the special environment clean and with reducing pest loads, we work very hard to facilitate.

Community Voice continues to advocate strongly for the environmental quality and general well-being of Estuary shore residents – of every kind and situation. Please get in touch via Contact page with any local concerns. Kia ora koutou.

Notes
Wake Up, Freak Out – then Get a Grip “It’s much, much later than you think. Tipping point ahead.. At this very moment, the fate of civilization itself hangs in the balance” – “short animated film about the feedback loops likely to lead to catastrophic climate change, by Leo Murray” – 2008
City of polluters: Major changes needed to make Christchurch carbon neutral by 2050 – Press, 10 Nov 2017
Climate change plan aims to make Christchurch carbon neutral ahead of 2050 target – Press, 11 Apr 2019
Residents plead with city leaders to set ambitious targets for tackling climate change – Press, 28 Aug 2019
Christchurch makes bold step toward ambitious carbon emissions goals– Press, 30 Aug 2019

Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change “Many factors influence the balance of microbial greenhouse gas capture versus emission” – Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019

News bites: Redwood Library repairs, Sumner village work nearly done “More work needed” – Press, 25 Aug 2019
Christchurch: ‘We are a broken people’ – Press, 29 Aug 2019

New ECan council must find other ways to gain community input – Press, 28 Aug 2019

Policy Local “New Zealand’s only comprehensive and easily accessible local-election candidate information site.. strictly neutral” + Announcing Policy Local: 573 New Zealand elections in one place – The Spinoff, 29 August 2019