Auckland united on energy

11 April, 2007

Auckland's eight councils have provided joint submissions to the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy and associated energy and climate change policy consultation documents.

The submissions were prepared and approved by the Auckland Regional Council, Rodney District Council, North Shore City Council, Waitakere City Council, Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, Papakura District Council and Franklin District Council.

"The councils of the Auckland region have established a comprehensive and substantial position in response to the New Zealand Energy Strategy and the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy," said Paul Walbran, chair of the ARC's Regional Strategy and Planning Committee.

"We welcomed the Government's preparation of a national energy strategy, which we had requested for some time. We support the vision and principles of the strategy, which aim to address the energy challenges posed by climate change, ensuring security of supply and affordability. These are all issues of vital concern for the Auckland region," Cr Walbran said.

The councils emphasised the importance of land use planning, particularly to encourage a more energy-efficient urban form, and encouragement of public transport, walking and cycling as ways to improve energy efficiency associated with transport.

The councils also stressed that security of affordable electricity supply was important for the Auckland region and that a proactive approach to energy efficiency and more renewable generation was needed.

The councils supported the introduction of smart meters and pricing incentives to encourage residential consumers to shift non-essential energy use away from peak times, as peak loads in the Auckland region exceeded all predictions last winter.

The councils also sent joint submissions to the Government's climate change documents: Transitional Measures, Reducing Greenhouse Gases Post-2012 and Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change.

The joint regional submissions can be viewed on: http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/environment/energy.cfm

and at www.franklin.govt.nz

ENDS

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