2.4 Christchurch Carbon Emissions - The Strategy portrays hydro electricity and heat from wood as “positives” yet ratepayers are currently subsidizing the removal of wood burners. The Association sees this as inherently contradictory, especially when wood burners provide a reliable and comparatively cheap source of heating, especially for low income households.

2.5  Christchurch City Council Carbon Emissions – While in support of lowering carbon emissions, the Association believes that any initiatives to lower carbon emissions should be cost neutral. What will be the cost to ratepayers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as set out in Figure 3 on page 14? The Draft Strategy does not disclose a cost.

3.2.2 Goals and Objectives – The Association is in general support of Objectives 5-10 set out in Goal 3 on page 15.

Objective:  Enable low-carbon transport

(NOTE: There is a conflict in the numbering of Objectives 7 and 8 on pages 25 and 26 from what appears on page 15)

The Association submits that a practical start to achieving low carbon transport would be the prompt introduction of bus lanes for peak hours on Riccarton Road as well as special B turn right traffic signals at the intersections of Riccarton Road and Straven, Clyde, Ilam and Waimairi Roads (or turn left into Matipo Street). This would assist greatly in not having buses remaining idle in traffic on Riccarton Road for up to twenty minutes each evening at peak times. In turn, the buses would be a much more attractive option for consumers leading to reduced use of motor vehicles and, hence, fewer carbon emissions.

Objective: Encourage green and healthy places and spaces

This Objective is particularly important to our Association and is linked with the proposed changes to Living 3 and 4 Zones (Proposed Plan Change 53) which our Association wants made mandatory for developers so as to avoid future squalid living conditions. Increasing the affordability and uptake of solar hot water heating systems can be best achieved by eliminating any installation consent fees provided the installation is undertaken by an accredited installer.

Objective: Enhance local productive landscapes and the resilience of habitats and ecosystems

The Association supports the establishment of community gardens in this area – the Council already owns sections in Clarence Street and Dilworth Street, for example, that could be used for this purpose. The Association is of the firm opinion that the Council should carry out further street renewal (along the lines of what has recently taken place in Picton Avenue) and include small garden patches for residents in the high density population area that is Central Riccarton.

Objective: Promote renewable energy and carbon sequestration

The Association supports the identification of areas on Council and private land for the regeneration or planting of suitable trees and shrubs to absorb carbon dioxide. Again this Objective is closely linked with the proposed changes to Living 3 and 4 Zones (Proposed Plan Change 53) which our Association wants made mandatory for developers because Council currently allows developers in Central Riccarton to cut down all trees and shrubs on a site in order for developers to maximise their profit at the expense of the living conditions for the neighbouring ratepayers and residents.