Answers from Craig Brown
The wider environment
As a NRC Councillor, what measures would you promote to protect and promote our natural environment?
Please view the NRC recently issued draft Regional plan...too comprehensive to repeat here but it provides all the measures required to cared for and improve the state of our environment
What do you think Council should do to improve the health of our local streams, rivers, harbours and water supply?
See 1. Above.. I have been a member of the environmental committee for 9 yrs and we currently spend literally millions on flood mitigation , stream bank erosion , riparian fencing and planting, subsidies to land owners for a wide variety of work.
Do we need a tax on non-recyclable materials, or rules to minimise waste? YES/NO
Explain:
NO..to a tax....I think it better to have a return refund...sounds better.
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
It sounds good to have a green industry hub..this has been talked about in the past....it's hard enough to get any industry to the north and you would have to get the co-operation of the. Community and the industries.
Do you consider that it is your role to promote regional development of sustainable industries, e.g. horticulture? YES/ NO
What industries do you consider require promotion in the district/ region?
YES..this is part of our normal day to day business
Our horticulture, dairy, pasture farming...infact adding value to any of odour existing industries...this is being done now.
What is your stance on GMO’s? Do you support the current precautionary approach of the district and regional councils in Northland?
I was part of the team that wrote the existing precautionary approach. I think that speaks for itself
Would you be prepared to lobby Government for more assistance for regional employment and sustainable industry development? YES / NO
YES...I have been doing that for years...however I think northland needs to stand on its on feet...a hand up is needed, but we should stop relying on a hand out
What other ideas do you have to improve the Northland economy and wellbeing of Northlanders?
I have been working in this arena for the last twenty four years...I think we could make northland the food factory of the pacific....Horticulture fruit and crop production, factories for the processing, land based fish farming for export..use NIWAs research, Put to use all the good quality soils for this production.. Copy the Fonterra co-operative system for ownership of the industries....there could be hundreds jobs created here.
Do you believe your council has a role in building and strengthening our communities? YES/ NO
If yes then how would you do so?
I do believe the council has a role..YES...NRC already has an economic development agency(NorthlandInc). This and it's funding, and a large investment fund has been set up to address employment, attract development, to facilitate start up industry.
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?
The provision of suitable housing is an ideal we should all strive for....but this will not necessarily mean ownership. The whole purpose of job creation economic development
Training etc is to improve the overall social well being of our communities and housing is one part of that.
Should councils zone (and plan for) compact residential housing development in/near town centres? YES/ NO
YES.....Councils should dictate less about how communities live and concentrate on planning and zoning for a wide range of lifestyles as required by the differing sectors.
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?
Our Council has set up a special committee liaise with our Maori communities..it is the Ti Taitokerau Maori Advisory Committee. This works well and in conjunction with this we do Marae Visits across northland to speak with Marae communities at grass roots level. I would have to say that this. Appears so far to be the best consultation method I have seen for many years. BUT it remains for council to listen!!
Do you have a particular project that you feel passionate about and would want to promote?
The pursuit of economic development as outlined previously for the whole region.W
What local service do you feel is most important for your community and how would you promote it?
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Northland Rail / Transport
YES/ NO. If YES, would you be prepared to join a delegation to Parliament on the matter YES/ NO
I have been an advocate for an integrated transport system across the whole region and fought tooth and nail for this since my first days as a Whangarei District councillor and while I was the Mayor...I have led delegations to Wellington, I have engaged with KiwiRail and have fought this fight for years. I was instrumental in the initiative to designate the rail corrider toMarsden Point
This battle has lasted 24 yrs for me and I will continue the fight.
NRC already administers the public transport system in Whangarei, in Kaitaia and has just introduced a trial at Kaikohe...They all have to be paid for and they all require users to sustain the service.
End of answers about rail/transport
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
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
What will you do on council to help reduce the effects of climate change and help our communities adapt to a more unstable climate?
CLIMATE change???Our council already makes provision in our policies and plans for climate change and sea level rise..this as you probably know is mandatory..A quick read of these documents will show clearly what we have all been working on for years.