Thames-Coromandel District Council is at odds over the local government leaders’ climate change declaration.
The declaration commits councils to plan to reduce greenhouse gases, increase resource efficiency, promote public and low-carbon transport and support the use of renewable energy and uptake of electric vehicles.
However, the council has announced it has yet to decide on signing up to the declaration with councillors demanding clarity on any financial implications of the document and the consequential rate increases it might place on ratepayers. Councillors also reportedly noted the need for leadership and clearer guidance from central government as to what is specifically required of local government when it comes to risk and resilience matters such as climate change.
“Our council continues to be proactive in ensuring our communities are engaged, prepared, protected and safe in the long term,” it said.
The council mentioned steps it had taken to help address climate change including the adoption of the government’s revised climate change guidance in February 2018, the adoption of the Coastal Management Strategy and the development of its Proposed District Plan, which includes policies aimed at protecting the natural features and landscapes of the Coromandel’s coastal environments, and managing the effects of flooding, coastal erosion and tsunami. It also noted its support of the set-up of the Coromandel Electric Vehicle Scenic Touring Route, which is a network of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles at key points around the Coromandel on SH25.
The council added it will discuss more on the climate change declaration in April.
