Posts for government
Government partnership kickstarts Wynyard Quarter’s push to be exemplar of sustainable city building | EECA: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
Some great news. And an amazingly well done website for the Wynyard Quarter in Auckland. Maybe we will be getting a good waterfront after all… A quest to make Wynyard Quarter an international exemplar for sustainable development has had a major boost today with the…
Council and privacy
Our assumption is that council is passing on all the building consent application and is making it public. You will find it on websites like Whatson. However, there is a privacy act in New Zealand. So I wonder how that ties in.
Do we rate environmentally?
A nice summary of our sustainability status can be found in the build magazine. I would generally agree with the article. While we have an abundance of materials, knowledge and tools, we still struggle to deliver.
Rural America’s Silent Housing Crisis – just like NZ
A very interesting article about the housing crisis in the US. Interestingly enough, New Zealand is not the only place with a discussion about affordable living and house prices. However this article touches on a slightly different matter, namely the housing crisis in rural areas.
Significant amendments to the Resource Management Act signalled by Government
According to my experience over the last ten years, it is not the act being the issue, it’s the people interpreting it. Any overhaul should address arbitrary interpretation. When we talk about resources, we should be discussing effects on land, air, water predominantly, not the…
The Anti-Science Climate Denier Caucus
Climate change is happening, humans are the cause, and a shocking number of congressional Republicans — over 58 percent — refuse to accept it. CAP Action conducted a fresh analysis of public statements from current Representatives and Senators from the 113th Congress on climate change.…
Shock as company gets go-ahead in the Karangahake Gorge
Extensive mining activity is due to start in the beautiful bush clad hills behind the iconic Karangahake Rail Trail.
Generation Zero questions Auckland Council’s sign-off for greenfield land in Helensville
Generation Zero gained confidential minutes obtained through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request to show how the council’s governing body signed off the release of greenfield land in Helensville south on May 1 against the official advice of the Housing Project Office.
German Solar Experience Offers Critical ‘Lessons Learned’
Germany has been through a long history of coal, nuclear and renewables. And there are lessons to be learnt, for sure.
US Conservatives Are Purposely Making Their Cars Spew Black Smoke To Protest Obama And Environmentalists
This is one of the most insane things I have seen and heard in a long time. While I can see that this a rather obvious sign of protest, it lacks any sense for health and safety even if we leave the environment totally aside…