Philip Scothern

The wider environment

As a Councillor, what measures would you promote to protect and promote our natural environment?

Ensure public consultation and input to decisions influencing the natural environment.

Promote internal consideration within the council to seriously assess environmental effects of all decisions and processes.

What do you think Council should do to improve the health of our local streams, rivers, harbours and water supply?

Be far more proactive with NRC with monitoring and enforcement systems. This should include education activities in the community.

Do we need a tax on non-recyclable materials, or rules to minimise waste? YES/NO YES

Explain: The council needs to be seen to promote re-cycling through it’s internal operations and then via promotional programs within the ratepayer community.

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

Do you consider that it is your role to promote regional development of sustainable industries, e.g. horticulture? YES/ NO YES

What industries do you consider require promotion in the district/ region? Horticulture, farming, forestry, solar power and rail to get trucks off the road.

What is your stance on GMO’s? Do you support the current precautionary approach of the district and regional councils in Northland?

GMO’s should be banned as general rule. However there are rare occasions when genetically modified organisms are safe, it depends on the level of modification and whether it is natural. There needs to be clear guidelines on the definition. Yes I support a precautionary approach.

Would you be prepared to lobby Government for more assistance for regional employment and sustainable industry development? YES / NO YES

What other ideas do you have to improve the Northland economy and wellbeing of Northlanders?

Where possible support local business, lobby for the Northland Port to ease the pressure on Auckland which needs to be contracted not expanded, rail needs to be reinstated as a transport system.

Do you believe your council has a role in building and strengthening our communities? YES/ NO Yes

If yes then how would you do so? Better planning.

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? Include the concepts in the district plan.

Should councils zone (and plan for) compact residential housing development in/near town centres? YES/ NO

Yes, as required and subject to planning process’s and public notification.

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?

Do you have a particular project that you feel passionate about and would want to promote?

The Mangawhai Waste Water Scheme and environmental monitoring.

What local service do you feel is most important for your community and how would you promote it?

N/A

Northland Rail / Transport

1. 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 YES

Comment to explain position: See above

1. 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 YES

Comment to explain position: Rail is an efficient and long term benefit.

1. 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 Yes

Comment to explain position:

1. 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 YES

Comment to explain position:

If you support increased expenditure on rail in Northland, how should this be funded? Options (tick as many as you like)

Tick By injection of capital funding from Government, to create a strategic asset for Northland

Tick By NZ Transport Agency being required to include funding of rail, sea and roading and prioritising expenditure equitably

Tick By public-private partnerships (PPPs)

Tick By making truck road user charges more fairly represent actual costs of building and maintaining roads in NZ

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?

Include in Long Term Plan

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 YES

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 YES

What will you do on council to help reduce the effects of climate change and help our communities adapt to a more unstable climate? Needs to be addressed by evaluating current practices.

[Kaipara only]

In your opinion how do you see the future of Eco Care- Mangawhai’s waste water scheme?

Not enough room or time here to address that issue.