Colin Beardon claims that the proposed designation of Waiheke as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is "the only idea with sufficient weight" to preserve Waiheke's future. What do you think of this idea? Is this something that a local community board should be endorsing or even debating, or is it best left as a movement outside of this body?
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Biosphere Reserves and the Local Board
"Is this something that a local community board should be endorsing or even debating?"
You are a bit behind the times here. The Community Board has discussed it on several occasions and even held a Forum on the topic which was open to the public.
Seeing as the only way for it to be achieved is through an initial resolution of the Local Board, the answer must be a resounding "Yes".
It is quite incredible to me to think that an opportunity as important as this, with the backing of several MPs and hundreds of islanders, should not be discussed at the Local Board.
World Heritage Lite
Proponents claim the Reserve would be a boon for tourism on Waiheke. For sure UNESCO World Heritage Areas are significant a draw for visitors. But there is no evidence of the same being the case for their poor cousins - Biosphere Reserves.
Unesco and Tourism
Not all Biosphere Reserves want to boost tourism -- a significant number have too many tourists and want to limit them (Menorca, for example).
If you want an example of one that did want to, and did so successfully, look at the Iroise Biosphere Reserve in France.
Biosphere Reserve = More Expensive Housing
Proposed Biosphere Reserve for Waiheke will make development even more difficult and boost cost of housing.
Biosphere Reserve = Cheaper Housing
Proposed Biosphere Reserve for Waiheke will make sustainable development simpler and reduce cost of housing.
Would the biosphere reserve
Would the biosphere reserve make living on Waiheke more expensive?
A good question.
The gut reaction apparently goes like this. The biosphere reserve is about living sustainably and in tune with the environment. Cheap developments - build anywhere sprawl, cheap materials, no standards or regulations etc are clearly not sustainable so that implies that the biosphere will make houses more expensive. This is undeniable - if your cost savings are being made at the expense of your children and the environment then taking any steps to improve sustainability will increase those costs.
Lets consider why houses are expensive both to build and to buy.
According to RBNZ the average house price rose from being around two and a half times average household disposable income in 1980 to around six times average household disposable income in 2007. This is a bubble brought about by low inflation and low interest rates. Basically people are investing in property because they think that it will always go up in price.
Land section prices have inflated even faster so although the requirements of the RMA might be bureaucratic, expensive and annoying they actually form a very minor part of the cost of a house. On the other hand the requirements add to the longer term value of a house by causing it to be built according to some useful standards.
This housing bubble has started to burst with a notable fall in prices since 2009. To return to their long term values prices could continue to fall by up to 50%.
Projects in other parts of the world, and some buildings on Waiheke have shown that it is possible to build attractive, economic, environmentally efficient homes complete with insulation, passive heating, water and waste management, etc for no more than the cost of any other type of building. These houses last longer and cost less to live in than their counterparts. One role of the biosphere reserve would be to lead forward in this field of building design.
A more serious goes that as we make Waiheke a nicer place to live with attractive housing, clean beaches and water, local energy independence and so on. Coupled with limits to the number of people who can live here we create a demand that pushes prices up so that only the rich can live here.
In a recent workshop that was reflecting on risks to Waiheke it was determined that loss of population due to the expense of living here was an issue. The key driver for this will be rising fuel prices. A doubling or tripling of fossil fuel costs over the next decade would lead to a significant reduction in the number of people who could afford to live on the island and commute to the city. This would affect young families and lower income worker disproportionately leading to the island moving towards becoming a rich mans playground instead of a well balanced community.
To counter this trend the we would need to see an increase in affordable homes, an increase in education and training opportunities on the island and an increase in jobs and businesses that serve the local community. The biosphere reserve concept with its focus on sustainable communities as well as environment has been shown in other places to be a mechanism that works in this direction.
No (Wo)Man is an Island
Thanks for confirming that a Reserve would (further) increase the cost of housing & therefore living on Waiheke. Should I pack my bags now?
it looks like there is an
It looks like there is an active' kill the biosphere' group going on the island. people tweeting and posting misinformation about the reserve status increasing costs to business and housing on the island to every regularly active waiheke person on twitter.
Sad to see that said person or group didn't turn up to the Wananga on Sunday where they would have learned why it is 'business as usual' that robs from future generations while the concept of a biosphere reserve is to actively support families and communities.
As I pointed out in my posting. which clearly was not read. house prices are in a huge bubble caused by cheap credit, and greed. The bubble peaked last year and prices are set to fall by up to 30% or more in the next few years. Although prices will fall that is no comfort for those stuck with expensive mortgages taken up during the bubble. Global Corporate Business attitudes have seriously failed the island creating haves and have nots, a dependency on imports and tourism, and significant environmental damage.
Not scared
Interesting that when the BS, oops sorry slip of the finger, mean BR advocates shout out they call it "democracy", but when those with a different view try to be heard they call it "misinformation". Come on Waiheke, let's show what democracy really means in the election by voting for those candidates with a balanced view on the Island's future.
Its not about who shouts
Its not about who shouts louder, or posts unsupported statements. Democracy is about engaged and informed debate. Your issue was discussed at the Wananga - Forum on Sunday where a large group of islanders were able to consider whether this proposal represents a meaningful and realistic future for all of Waiheke.
I guess you weren't there. It was notable that some candidates who are reserving judgement on the idea - or maybe oppose it didn't bother to turn up either. Those that did may still have questions but at least they are questions based on a realistic understanding of the concept instead of a knee jerk reaction to the 'sustainable' word.
It was a perfect example of real democracy.
Andrew
Scared
... you seem to be scared of creating an account though and being so vocal means that i've got to keep moderating all your anonymous comments. If you create an account (which pretty much still reserves your anonymity) i won't have to moderate all your posts.
Elaborate
From my understanding the Biosphere designation is mostly symbolic and doesn't have much if any legislative bite to it; if this is the case why do you think it will make development more difficult and boost the cost of housing?
Thin Edge of the Wedge
Proponents say "the Reserve would be bound to the concept of sustainable development". In other words, it would be RMA on steroids.
strong leap
Surely thats a bit of a leap to automatically associate an island communities concern over sustainability directly with a possibly poor implementation of the Resource Management Act. The Biosphere sounds to me as accredited recognition of achievements towards balanced solutions to living in unique environmental and geographic areas, incorporating the balance of building sustainability (perhaps even acknowleding on one hand such dubious candidates such as the lite-house - if the lite-house was smart enough to see itself as medium-term hub rather than an ivory tower in the neighborhood), and preserving a liveable environment for all based on balance and not unthought-out over development.
I'm leaning strongly towards voting for a majority of candidates I believe might support this idea. Will be attending the Waananga on Sunday at Piritahi to find out more.
Biosphere Reserve
107 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in ASIA/PACIFIC in 28 countries, incl 15 in Aussie but 0 in NZ. Why? http://www.unesco.org/mab/doc/brs/apa.pdf
http://twitter.com/greenbranz
Wananga on Waiheke Unesco Reserve : 5 Sept
I hope that in order to be able to talk meaningfully on this subject all the candidates and as many others as possible will attend the Wananga today.
Andrew
Piritahi Marae, Sunday 5 September 2010, assemble at 10:15
There is so much interest around the idea that Waiheke could become a UNESCO Reserve that Piritahi Marae and the group behind the project are joining forces to organise a Wananga, or Day of Learning. It will take place next Sunday, 5th September at the marae in Blackpool. It is open to everyone, and those wishing to attend should assemble at the entrance to the marae at 10:15.
The idea of the wananga is to describe, as simply as possible, what biosphere reserves are and what it would mean for Waiheke to become one.
The opening presentation will cover what UNESCO is and what it expects. It will go on to talk about the reasons why Waiheke would be a good candidate, and what the implications might be if we were accepted. It will be presented by Colin Beardon who has been working on the project for two-and-a-half years.
Pita Rikys will then consider the proposal from an indigenous Maori perspective. The Marae committee have long supported the idea and this is an opportunity to explore ways the project can become stronger through learning, sharing and genuine partnership.
Brian Griffiths from Forest & Bird will then provide an overview of environmental regeneration work across the Island and how this would fit into a biosphere reserve model: in particular, the development of ecological 'corridors' to support the return of flora and fauna.
John Stansfield will talk on aspects of Waiheke's economy and its community. The example of the waste collection contract last year, when Cleanstream lost the contract to Australia’s TPI, led to a loss of jobs on the island. While looking for new opportunities, we want to avoid any repetition of that kind of event in the future.
The proceedings will end with concluding remarks and reflections on the day from Huhana Davis. The aim is to complete formal proceedings just after 1 o'clock, but those attending are welcome to stay for tea and to carry on the discussion.
There will be opportunities for questions, material that people can take away, and the chance to write and leave comments. There is no admission charge, but a koha would be appreciated.