The draft Waimate District Council’s Climate Resilience Strategy is nearing completion ahead of the final community workshop to be held at the Waimate Event Centre at 6pm, Tuesday 10 December.
This workshop will provide a summary of the opportunities presented from the previous six workshops and explore the possibilities of turning these into actions through the lens of community-based leadership, empowerment and collaboration.
Throughout the engagement process, Council has received 359 pieces of feedback from the community. This feedback is invaluable in helping to shape a strategy that is both practical and prioritises what the community sees as our most pressing challenges.
“The workshops have not only facilitated valuable discussions but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility and action among participants. We are aiming to create a strategy that works for us locally – especially around economic resilience given that much of our district’s economy is underpinned by sustainable climatic factors”, Climate Change and Biodiversity Officer Andrew Oliver said.
The workshops have highlighted a wide range of potential initiatives for the district, including sustainable economic development programs like the establishment of a district freight hub and ‘buy local, stay local’ marketing. Other suggestions emphasised proactive investments in resilient infrastructure such as flood detention and holding zones. Additionally, participants noted the importance of activities aimed at protecting and enhancing biodiversity.
“In our final workshop we want to know how council can facilitate leadership, empowerment, and collaboration within our community around the many opportunities this strategy has presented,” Andrew Oliver said. The next step is for the final draft strategy to be presented to Council for consideration in early 2025.
For more information, and to complete the final survey precluding the workshop, go to waimatedc.govt.nz/climate
