Action at the local level to counter the impacts of climate change is central to planning for Puketāpapa Local Board and, “it will continue to be,” says Puketāpapa Local Board Chair Julie Fairey.
Local communities are passionate about the environment and conserving the area’s natural heritage.
Puketāpapa Local Board’ partnership with Conservation Volunteers New Zealand to deliver a unique Migrant Conservation Programme is an example of its commitment to climate action.
“We know that each local action helps us all to mitigate and adapt to climate change, so the Local Board has supported and backed local activities like this. This work helps us to build resilient communities and feeds into the regional, national and global effort,” explains Chair Fairey.
This priority resonates with and is aligned to the priorities of Auckland Council’s Recovery Budget currently open for consultation until 22 March.
The Recovery Budget responds to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic while investing in development and actions that will address the threats of climate change. Given the critical need, Auckland Council will invest an extra $150 million to further accelerate and significantly increase existing climate actions at a regional level.
Local feedback necessary
While the decisions on the Recovery Budget are driven by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, Chair Watson is encouraging locals to have their say before consultation closes.
Receiving local feedback means that local boards can fulfil a dual role in the process. They can consider their own decision making at the local level to ensure it aligns with what locals need and want, and also use it to guide their advocacy on behalf of locals to the Governing Body.
The Governing Body and local boards are each autonomous and make decisions within their areas of responsibility. However, even if they make different types of decisions, there is an active working relationship between the Governing Body and the Local Boards.
Following consultation, all feedback will be considered and Auckland Council’s Recovery Budget (the 10-year Budget) 2021-2031 is due to be adopted in June 2021.
Decisions will be communicated once the budget is adopted and a summary report will be available on the council’s website.
