Hutt City Council

Environmental Sustainability Questionnaire

Focus Areas
 
1a. We have proposed seven areas (the areas are listed in Question 1b) where we think the Council is able to influence environmental outcomes.
 
Do you agree that these are the right ones?
1b. Please indicate the areas the Council should focus on.
Add any new areas that you feel are missing from the proposed strategy.
 
 
 
Actions
 
2a. In Section 8 of the draft strategy, we have proposed a series of actions in each of the seven focus areas. It would be helpful to know which actions you think are the most and the least important.
 
Please tell us if you think each action should be a high priority or a low priority
 
 
 
Waste Objectives and Actions
 
W1 Investigate and consider options for composting green waste separated at Silverstream landfill
 
 
W2 Investigate and consider options for diverting commercial kitchen waste from landfills
 
 
W3 Investigate and consider options for reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste, such as unpainted and untreated timber, bricks, and scrap metal
 
 
W4 Develop a policy on recycling at public events at Council facilities (parks, reserves, and roads)
 
 
W5 Investigate and consider options for public place recycling, including in parks and reserves
 
 
W6 Improve marketing and communication of waste performance and targets as part of establishing an environmental sustainability brand for Council
 
 
W7 Work with large producers of waste to improve their efficiency
 
 
W8 Work with local schools to ensure that all schools in Hutt City have recycling facilities
 
 
W9 Work with the Hutt Valley District Health Board to ensure that the hospital works towards minimising waste.
 
 
Transport Objectives and Actions
 
T1 Accelerate cycle network development, address key choke points, and complete the strategic network within 10-15 years
 
 
T2 Improve cycle parking quality and quantity in the main centres and investigate and pursue the green parks concept for bikes (roadside parking for cycles in key locations)
 
 
T3 Advance the school travel plan programme to include all schools within 10 years
 
 
T4 Local marketing to highlight health, economic and environmental benefits of active transport
 
 
T5 Improve walking and cycling access around rail stations in conjunction with Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC)
 
 
T6 Upgrade the CBD bus terminal as part of the CBD Master Plan upgrades
 
 
T7 Investigate possible bus priority measures with Valley Flyer and GWRC, and establish a programme of works from 2014/2015
 
 
T8 Advocate for more bus shelters in the city with Greater Wellington Regional Council
 
 
T9 Investigate and consider the green parks concept for cars (parking advantages for ultra-fuel efficient vehicles)
 
 
T10 Promote use of motorscooters and motorcycles, by the provision of additional free parking in the main centres and transport hubs
 
 
T11 Investigate and consider options for encouraging car pooling, particularly for weekday commuter trips to/from employment
 
 
T12 Pursue and support initiatives that improve freight movement efficiency, including roading projects
 
 
Energy Objectives and Actions
 
E1 Target and encourage local charities and trusts to make energy efficiency project funding a greater part of their funding portfolio
 
 
E2 Target Housing New Zealand and Urban Plus to ensure that their Lower Hutt properties are fully insulated by 2020
 
 
E3 Target Housing New Zealand and Urban Plus to ensure that their Lower Hutt properties have efficient heating by 2020
 
 
E4 Investigate fast tracking and discounts for resource and building consent procedures for home energy efficiency initiatives, such as hot water heat pumps.
 
 
E5 Investigate fast tracking resource and building consents for small scale energy production, such as small business or home wind turbines, subject to controls concerning impacts.
 
 
E6 Work with local partners to develop pilot small scale local generation projects
 
 
E7 Indentify with heavy power users and work with them to find ways in which these companies can reduce energy consumption
 
 
Water Objectives and Actions
 
WT1 Upgrade Black Creek channel to increase capacity and further reduce the likelihood of flooding in the surrounding community
 
 
WT2 Develop a stormwater strategy that takes into account holistic approaches to the management of stormwater in Hutt City and encourage public engagement with this
 
 
WT3 Review areas served by the stormwater network that are not currently scheduled for asset renewal or upgrade and where there are potentially elevated stormwater risks to the environment and community
 
 
WT4 Install pumps on the Awamutu Stream outlet to reduce flood risk
 
 
WT5 Contribute to Hutt River stormwater outlet upgrades as part of larger programme of works being undertaken by Greater Wellington Regional Council
 
 
WT6 Investigate methods for proactively detecting and repairing weak joints in the Main Trunk sewer from Seview wastewater treatment plant to Pencarrow outfall
 
 
WT7 Require upgrade of private drains in selected catchments to reduce stormwater infiltration of the wastewater network
 
 
WT8 User charges for large wastewater producers based on both quantity and quality of the wastewater requiring treatment
 
 
WT9 Monitor private wastewater systems to detect problems with system leaks
 
 
WT10 Reduced unproductive water loss through leak detection programme
 
 
WT11 Maintain per capita water consumption levels at current levels through public education on water conservation
 
 
WT12 Hutt City to lead by example through efficient use of water in high consumption activities (e.g. Parks & Reserves, Aquatics and Recreation)
 
 
WT13 Identify and work with local businesses that are large water uses to minimise consumption
 
 
Urban Form Objectives and Actions
 
U1 Work with our regional partners to implement the Wellington Regional Strategy
 
 
U2 Review planning provision and principles for the CBD and other suburban centres – to promote viable and vibrant business centres that attract local business and promote safety
 
 
U3 Emphasise economic and social, as well as environmental advantages as part of the platform for encouraging employers to locate in the Hutt to provide jobs closer to housing, and minimise travel distances
 
 
U4 Improve public transport supporting infrastructure, as proposed in the transport action plan
 
 
U5 Accelerate cycle network development, address key choke points, and complete the strategic network within 10-15 years, as proposed in the transport action plan
 
 
U6 Improve cycle parking quality and quantity in the main centres and investigate and pursue the green parks concept for bikes, as proposed in the transport action plan
 
 
U7 Clarify district plan processes and policies for sustainable technology options as technology develops
 
 
U8 Up skill officers to enable Council to deal with environmentally friendly alternatives for buildings or developments – ensuring Council can work as an active partner in their deployment.
 
 
U9 Investigate a rating system for the energy efficiency, water efficiency, and quality design that goes into Land Information Memorandums for all new residential developments
 
 
Biodiversity Objectives and Actions
 
B1 Establish fire resistant plant species along fringes of reserves and easily accessible areas, such as roadsides.
 
 
B2 Develop and implement an urban forest strategy
 
 
B3 Identify ecological corridor route(s), including consideration of the river corridor
 
 
B4 Ensure a balance of species within the corridor(s)
 
 
B5 Undertake annual reviews of Council’s pest plants strategy to ensure currency
 
 
B6 Establish partnerships with the Department of Conservation and Victoria University of Wellington to improve knowledge of unique local species
 
 
B7 Recognise and develop Percy Scenic Reserve as a premium facility for banking rare and endangered flora
 
 
B8 Develop educational information throughout the reserve and establish an education facility
 
 
B9 Scope the distribution and content of biologically significant areas in Hutt City
 
 
B10 Review the District Plan provisions relating to Significant Natural Resources for efficiency and effectiveness
 
 
B11 Investigate the emission trading scheme, its implications, and the biodiversity and financial opportunities it presents Council
 
 
B12 Ensure any biodiversity and financial implications and opportunities of the emissions trading scheme are included in reserves management
 
 
Council Objectives and Actions
 
C1 Employ environmental sustainability officers to manage and coordinate the implementation of this strategy
 
 
C2 Develop an overarching environmental sustainability brand to pursue environmental sustainability initiatives and raise community awareness
 
 
C3 Investigate and pursue in conjunction with economic development and environmental expo for the city
 
 
C4 Implement energy saving measures at Huia Pool, Stokes Valley Pool and at the War Memorial Library
 
 
C5 Install additional energy meters to better monitor energy use and target energy saving initiatives, and investigate further energy saving opportunities by carrying out energy audits
 
 
C6 Ensure new developments implement energy conservation measures at the development stage (for example, redevelopment of McKenzie Pool)
 
 
C7 Investigate and pursue initiatives to use options for biomass waste from parks, gardens and reserves
 
 
C8 Introduce monitoring of waste generation at all facilities
 
 
C9 Expand on current waste minimisation activities, for example, use of kitchen waste
 
 
C10 Incorporate systems to encourage staff to use sustainable transport for Council related business
 
 
C11 Introduce minimum fuel economy standards for all Council vehicle acquisitions
 
 
C12 Update Council’s purchasing policy to include minimum environmental requirements, and resource a single authority within Council to manage
 
 
C13 Investigate and pursue alternative methods for parks and garden management
 
 
2b Are there any crucial actions you feel are missing from the strategy?


Comment
 
 
Measuring Performance
 
3. In Section 9 of the draft strategy, we have proposed a series of indicators against which the performance of each of the seven focus areas will be monitored. Do you agree that these are the right ones?
Comment
 
 
Funding and Costs
 
4a. While many of the proposed initiatives will be able to be undertaken within existing Council budgets, other initiatives will require additional funding. This has a cost to Council, and ultimately to Hutt City ratepayers.
 
We estimate that the cost of implementing the proposed initiatives will be up to $927,000 per year. Residential ratepayers would be paying around half of this cost. This is around $13.00 per residential ratepayer per year.
 
How much do you think Council should spend on implementing the proposed initiatives for each household?








4b. Do you have any comments about funding the proposed actions in the strategy, and/or do you want to explain your response to Question 4a?
 
 
Extent of the Strategy
 
5. The strategy proposes seven goals, and a set of objectives and actions to improve the city’s environmental sustainability. It also proposes an implementation timeline with targets to measure progress.
 
On a scale of 1 to 5, how far do you think the strategy goes towards addressing environmentally sustainable issues over the five year period?
 
 
6. Do you have any other comments or issues you wish to raise?
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name:
Address:
Suburb:
 
Email:
 
 
 
 
Daytime Phone Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you have responded on behalf of an organisation, please indicate the organisation.