Keeping Auckland's future bright

Auckland City Council's City Development Committee reinforced the council's leadership role in guiding the city towards a sustainable future at its meeting yesterday.

Originally approved in July 2007, today's endorsement of the council's long-term sustainability action plan, entitled Keeping Auckland's future bright, was a chance for the recently elected council to consider the plan prior to its on-line publication.

"Much of the work the council does on an ongoing basis is about ensuring the city develops sustainably," says committee chairperson, Councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

"Work is already underway on many of the targets outlined in the plan such as ongoing investment to upgrade the city's stormwater system, implementing sustainable transport infrastructure and working towards a sustainable urban form as outlined in the council's growth-management strategy.

"This work will continue along with future initiatives as part of a three-year action plan designed to fast track the council's sustainability efforts, foster a strong economy, protect the environment and build resilient communities," says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

Keeping Auckland's future bright also provides a way forward in terms of reducing the city's environmental footprint by looking at ways of reducing waste going to landfill, encouraging energy efficiency in homes and businesses, and reducing the overall amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

It also sets out longer-term goals for the council and the city, including sustainable economic growth, encouraging green business practices and ongoing work around delivering convenient, attractive and sustainable transport choices.

"The approach outlined in Keeping Auckland's future bright involves the council leading the way by ensuring that, as an organisation, we operate sustainably and work to reduce our impact on the environment," says Mr Lotu-Iiga.

A commitment to reducing green house gas emissions comes under the guidance of a carbon "road map", which will be reported to the committee in June 2008. This road map will take into account opportunities for regional cooperation on this issue.

"These objectives will challenge us, as an organisation and as a city. They will require commitment from all parties to ensure we move towards the kind of city our children will want to inherit."

From next month, the council will provide an eco-design advisor service for residents and developers looking for sustainable building advice, which comes with funding support from central government.