Submissions to TCC’s Long Term Plan Amendment (LTPA) are due by 5pm this coming Tuesday 26 April. It’s taken us a bit of digging to get clear about the exact details of the two options for the Civic Redevelopment. We now have a better understanding of the implications of each option for debt and operating… Continue reading More details emerge around proposed Tauranga Civic Redevelopment plan
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Letter to Tauranga City Council re Consultation Process
14 April 2022 CEO and CommissionersTauranga City Council Re 2022 LONG TERM PLAN AMENDMENT CONSULTATION Dear Marty and Commissioners, As you know, Sustainable Bay of Plenty has been engaging in the consultation process for the LTPA, which has included attending public meetings and seeking further information from Council. From what we have been told in… Continue reading Letter to Tauranga City Council re Consultation Process
Tauranga’s Civic Redevelopment – Expensive Concrete Jungle or Affordable Green Paradise?
by Jo Wills and Glen Crowther Tauranga City Council is calling for feedback on the city centre redevelopment, a chance (as Commissioner Tolley put it) for the community to decide ‘’…do they want to be part of creating a vibrant exciting centre city…or do we just want an ordinary civic centre and rebuild the library… Continue reading Tauranga’s Civic Redevelopment – Expensive Concrete Jungle or Affordable Green Paradise?
Are Councils Listening to Our Communities?
In this article, we explain why Sustainable BOP Trust is asking Tauranga City Council and BOP Regional Council to: Work with the Mount-Arataki-Papamoa communities to develop sustainable solutions for Links Ave and Farm St. Support the community’s ongoing call for bus stops on Maunganui Rd-SH2 by Bayfair, and push to develop bus lanes that connect… Continue reading Are Councils Listening to Our Communities?
Cycling is a Mode of Transport
Getting more people cycling instead of driving is a challenge that many cities are facing. Roads are clogged up with passenger vehicles, emissions are soaring, and nothing is changing. Safety is used as an excuse – “the roads aren’t safe for cycling”. The problem is that improving safety is fast becoming the default excuse for… Continue reading Cycling is a Mode of Transport
A Sustainability Perspective on the TCC Election
Given the lack of any public forum or feedback process, we followed the lead of local business networks, property developers and others, and shared our views with the Minister of Local Government. 28 February 2022 Hon. Nanaia MahutaMinister of Local Government Parliament, Wellington RE: TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL ELECTION Dear Minister Mahuta. We understand that you… Continue reading A Sustainability Perspective on the TCC Election
A Tribute to Bruce Fraser
By Jo Wills Bruce Fraser passed away on Wednesday 9th February 2022. He was a well-known figure in the Bay of Plenty sustainability community. Bruce might have been known for his wide smile, his sustainability awareness, or for his ability to handle pretty much any situation thrown at him, or simply because he was an… Continue reading A Tribute to Bruce Fraser
Petition to Fix the Cameron Rd Project
www.change.org/p/tauranga-city-council-review-the-cameron-road-project by Glen Crowther 15 organisations recently signed a letter to the Minister of Transport asking for the project to be fixed. See that letter here. We are calling for an independent review to determine a better design that:– is safer– promotes better traffic flow for all users (without as many lights)– delivers faster, more… Continue reading Petition to Fix the Cameron Rd Project
Who is the low carbon future for?
by Jo Wills & Glen Crowther Hydronic heating, Tesla EVs, and gourmet plant protein meals all have a role to play in New Zealand’s low carbon future, but what place will they have in the lives of an everyday low-income family? Carbon dioxide emissions from housing and transport are two of the key areas being… Continue reading Who is the low carbon future for?
Tauranga’s Lack of Carbon Emissions Targets
We’ll come back to this important topic in more detail at a later date, but this recent article (yes, paywalled) makes it clear we all need to get on the same page around the issue of CO2 targets and Tauranga City Council’s plans. Here is the key section of this Bay Times article: Robson said… Continue reading Tauranga’s Lack of Carbon Emissions Targets