Dunedin Energy Plan

[Scott Willis]

Hello everyone,

Some of you many have a moment to make a quick submission on the Dunedin Energy Plan (the discussion document is found here). If you do, it is due in by 5pm tomorrow. There is a great deal of interest in this locally (and some controversy from a rather rogue  Chamber of Commerce Chair).

There are FOUR themes currently in the Energy Plan:
• Save costs and enhance quality of life resulting from energy efficiency improvements
• Boost the city’s energy security and ability to adapt to change
• Reduce Dunedin’s climate change and environmental effects
• Take advantage of economic opportunities in a changing energy context.

Some actions we would like to see are (and many of you might agree ; )   ):
1. A local power procurement policy to ensure 20% local electricity supply from renewable sources by 2023 (its a 10-year plan).
2. Developing a targetted rate for solar installs (because the targetted rate programme exists, and it would be easy to transfer across)
3. Employing an ‘Eco-Design Advisor’ at council building consents desk (now is the time to make it happen – most other cities have this role and it is very valuable for promoting sustainable building solutions).
4. Working on reducing fuel poverty through supporting a co-ordinated, durable longterm approach (BRCT is facilitating a workshop in September to bring all parties in Dunedin together to enable the collective vision ).
5. Helping community groups get access to affordable firewood to help those in fuel poverty (we need to heat to stay healthy)
6. Supporting community energy advice (independent expert energy advice service for Dunedin is not yet secure)
7. Establishing robust reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions (a powerful mechanism to keep the clean energy progress going).

It would also be wonderful if:
= The DCC championed clean tech, such as electric vehicles (they should have two at least!), energy efficiency, solar installation, etc – so that most public buildings produce some electricity or heat by 2023?
= DCC encouraged Local food initiatives, to build food sovereignty?
= DCC helped develop a Low carbon circulatory system, i.e. cycleways that connect our communities, not just from settlement to the city ‘heart’.
= The DCC was forceful on Smart Urban Development with provision for local services and business in settlements/suburbs.

I know this is short notice, but if you can take 5 minutes to make a submission even in bullet point form, it will at least give our council staff the courage they need to make this a good plan and let them know that others around NZ are watching with interest! BTW Sally, I promise now that this is practically off my desk to do the CEN survey – 5 minutes you say??!

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[Jo Wills]

Hi Scott, do you have a link to the submission form? Then those of us with limited time but 100% support could cut and paste your bullet points above and make a submission in support of everything you have outlined.

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[Scott Willis]

Hi Jo,

Apologies, the link was a wee way through the DCC link. Here is the more direct one: https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/online-forms/energy-plan-questionaire –

Please note – the DCC has made a mistake the deadline is the 26th of July, not the 22nd of July as is posted on the submission page.

Thanks Jo!

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[Scott Willis]

That link is not as helpful as it might be. If people wish, you can send an email directly to:

energyplan@dcc.govt.nz

Thank you everyone.

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