In a world which has become increasingly conscious of the need to protect the environment it is important for Ecan to do just that. It makes economic as well as environmental sense. I am a former National Party member, but I am standing for election as an Independent candidate for the 2021 Group; a group which has a Vision for Christchurch City in particular and the broader region as a whole, which shows a great appreciation of sustainable management of the environment. Its current Ecan Councillors have shown a much greater understanding of this concept than the National-Citizens incumbents.
A major motivation for this has been the actions of the current National Party councillors. They voted against the interests of their own electorate, and Greater Christchurch when their votes led to the defeat of a motion aimed at protecting Christchurch's greatest asset - its cheap, pure water supply. Their actions have exposed the city's water supply to pollution from industrial, commercial and residential sources in areas where it is highly vulnerable.
My first priority on the Council will be to reverse that action, but also commit myself to require irrigators and other major water users to meet the Ecan costs associated with the management of these services. This will ensure best economical use of the water and at the same time allow Ecan rates to be reduced
As a sportsman who has run around Hagley Park more times than I wish to remember I am only too aware of air pollution and the need to reduce it.
On top of air pollution and water quality and quantity, Ecan has a wide range of responsibilities to the Canterbury Region. These include pest control, bio-security, coastal management, waste, hazardous substances and contaminated sites, public passenger transport and civil defence . A s a geographer, I have a good grasp of many of these and the capacity to self-educate.
I have an M.A.(hons) degree in Geography from Canterbury University. My undergraduate degree included papers in geology, chemistry and economics. My thesis topic involved an understanding of coastal geomorphology and changes in sea level associated with climate change. I have taught Geography most of my teaching career and am currently Careers Adviser at Christchurch Boys' High School.
I have long maintained an interest in environmental matters. In the early 1990s I chaired the Christchurch Green Belt Protection Society, which involved knowledge and understanding of a wide range of environmental issues in and around Christchurch, plus working with the Resource Management Act .I have also taught Transport Geography at Christchurch Polytechnic.
Other interests are family, Rotary and sport. I have coached sport much of my life including a long period of coaching the Canterbury Men's Hockey Club's Premier team. I represented Canterbury and New Zealand at hockey and cricket between 1959-1974.
