People can debate the cause of climate change but either way it is happening. There has been an increase in pollution and damaging storms over time and we need to deal with the impact on our communities. The council needs to do its part to clean up its act.
There are practical things it can do now to both help the environment and save energy (and thus rates money).
Council should be a leader in solar power on its buildings and work sites, and also in the use of electric vehicles. It must stop building facilities on coastal flood plains and complete the rollout of low-power LED street lights.
There will be major challenges for our coastal communities as storms increase in ferocity and sea levels rise. NZ needs a national plan to deal with this but Council also needs to engage with those affected and start thinking about how it will pay its share.

Achieved so far:
1) Stormwater repairs and development accelerated in Waihi Beach to cope with increasing number of heavy storms;
2) Council has electrified part of its vehicle fleet.

NOTE: achievements are always by the council as a team, not just me!

Next steps:
1) Keep pushing on the stormwater developments needed to protect Waihi Beach;
2) Review protection and policies for other coastal communities, especially Maketu;
2) Commit council to a solar future for its buildings, now that costs are coming down and it makes even more economic sense;