Energy

The availability of energy and the impacts of its production and distribution are vital to support the people of Waitaha/Canterbury to live and prosper. The main issues to be considered or resolved include our current inefficient use of energy, the adverse effects of its production and distribution, maintaining a reliable supply, and balancing the potential conflict between the benefits of more renewable energy and the impacts of the necessary infrastructure.

Drivers for change

Central government direction, climate change and the increasing natural hazard risk as a consequence. There is also a strong need to support ongoing social and economic wellbeing by providing reliable and sustainable energy in the right places.

What we heard

Reduce use/reliance on fossil fuels.
Make it easier for households to generate electricity. The consents process is too difficult!
There should be no new buildings without solar/wind energy gathering.

What we can influence

The extent to which we prioritise renewable energy over other social and environmental values, such as landscape or amenity values.
We can also give policy direction through regional and district plans to manage how we generate, distribute and use energy more efficiently and sustainably.