Bruce Rogan
September 14 , 2016
Bruce Rogan’s answers
The wider environment
As a Mayor, what measures would you promote to protect and promote our natural environment?
Compliance with the District Plan
Compliance with the RMA
Compliance with the law in general
Encouragement of community views of what environmental issues are of importance of them.
What do you think Council should do to improve the health of our local streams, rivers, harbours and water supply?
Rigorous enforcement of consents and monitoring.
Do we need a tax on non-recyclable materials, or rules to minimise waste? YES/NO
Explain:
I don’t know if a tax is needed, but I am not implacably opposed to taxes if no other way to get compliance is workable.
To me, the solution seems to lie in fostering non-wasteful behaviour- we used to have a bounty on returnable bottles.
I would like to see that sort of thing come back.
Employment and Economy
Do you support the creation of a green industry hub/ green technology development in Whangarei/ Dargaville / Kerikeri / Kaikohe / Kaitaia (circle the town that applies)? YES/ NO
YES, absolutely
Do you consider that it is your role to promote regional development of sustainable industries, e.g. horticulture? YES/ NO
YES, but I also think my role would be to foster such developments through a meaningful incentive programme.
What industries do you consider require promotion in the district/ region?
Food Growing, Education, Forestry added value, energy self-sufficiency, and others.
What is your stance on GMO’s? Do you support the current precautionary approach of the district and regional councils in Northland?
I definitely do support this and would try to strengthen it.
If we do not protect our genetic diversity we have no future, as a species, or in any other way.
Would you be prepared to lobby Government for more assistance for regional employment and sustainable industry development? YES / NO
I would, as long as the strings attached to it did not defeat the aims.
What other ideas do you have to improve the Northland economy and wellbeing of Northlanders?
Getting all the work that is needed to be done to sustain communities done by the communities themselves.
Putting controls on all development so that every development has to show how it benefits the wider community.
Do you believe your council has a role in building and strengthening our communities? YES/ NO
If yes then how would you do so?
My view is that really is council’s only legitimate role.
Implementation is simple- listen to communities and assist them to realise their vision of what they want.
Housing and Town Planning
What actions should council take to help ensure a healthy and affordable home is available for all people in our community?
By getting actively involved in the building and provision of housing foe all needy groups
Should councils zone (and plan for) compact residential housing development in/near town centres? YES/ NO
I don’t know. I would rather find out what communities want.
We have banned certain forms of caged living for animals, so I’m not sure that we should be legitimising caged living for humans.
General
How do you think council’s relationship with mana whenua can be improved and what opportunities do you think there are to strengthen the partnership?
Listening would be a good start, then making sure that the future is recognised as a partnership, not just a you give we take process. (and I mean that in both directions)
Do you have a particular project that you feel passionate about and would want to promote?
No, I don’t, because I am the servant of the people not the dictator.
But generally, I will put my weight behind anything that fosters community development that leads to jobs and people finding meaningful reasons to stay in or come back to their communities.
What local service do you feel is most important for your community and how would you promote it?
I don’t know- That is for each community to decide for themselves
Northland Rail / Transport
- Do you support commencement of construction of the rail line to Marsden Point within the next 12 months?
YES/ NO. If YES, would you be prepared to join a delegation to Parliament on the matter YES/ NO
Comment to explain position:
YES and YES
- Do you support the retention and upgrading of the Kauri to Otiria rail line? YES/NO. If YES, would you be prepared to join a delegation to Parliament on the matter? YES/ NO
Comment to explain position:
YES and YES
- Do you support the retention and upgrading of the Dargaville rail line? YES/NO. If YES, would you be prepared to join a delegation to Parliament on the matter? YES/ NO
Comment to explain position:
YES and YES
- Do you support upgrading of the Auckland to Whangarei rail line? YES/NO. If YES, would you be prepared to join a delegation to Parliament on the matter? YES/ NO
Comment to explain position:
YES and YES
If you support increased expenditure on rail in Northland, how should this be funded? Options (tick as many as you like)
By injection of capital funding from Government, to create a strategic asset for Northland . YES
By NZ Transport Agency being required to include funding of rail, sea and roading and prioritising expenditure equitably YES
By public-private partnerships (PPPs) ABSOLUTELY NO.
By making truck road user charges more fairly represent actual costs of building and maintaining roads in NZ YES
By any combination of the above - explain
What would you do to improve public transport and make it more accessible, and make it easier to cycle and walk if elected?
Don’t know yet, need more information
Climate Change
Should local and regional councils incorporate land use planning principles to take account of expected sea level rise? (A recent report puts 1100 additional Northland properties at risk, new total > 3000)? YES/ NO
Of Course
If YES, should this include planning for 100 year life of all new buildings to accommodate sea level rise (eg new Hundertwasser centre) YES/ NO
Don’t know- Humans may nor exist in 100 years from now.
What will you do on council to help reduce the effects of climate change and help our communities adapt to a more unstable climate?
Encourage energy self-sufficiency at household level.
In your opinion how do you see the future of Eco Care- Mangawhai’s waste water scheme?
It needs to be progressively shut down and replaced with something sustainable.