Brian Fallow in the NZ Herald of Thursday 26^th  (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10558727) provides some thoughtful comments on a recent report by telecom giants Telecom NZ, Telstra and Vodophone about the government’s proposed $1.5 billion funds to speed up a system of broadband accessible to 75% of telecom users in NZ.  According to Fallow, the report by the consultancy firm Castalia says in effect there is no evidence to would warrant that kind of Government intervention. As Fallow points out, the big three telecos have good reason to keep government out of any revamped system; it would undermine their existing investment and reduce the returns they currently get from customers.

According to the Herald (see link below) another recent report, this time by the state owned network operator Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ) suggests that money spent expanding a super-fast broadband network for the research and education sector has the power to generate millions in private sector benefits.  It suggests that every dollar spent on developing its high-speed network linking Crown Research Institutes, universities, schools and their overseas equivalents could result in $4 worth of benefits.

The debate on broadband access has multiple implications for planning and planners . . . ..

Kathryn is an interdisciplinary student who did her undergraduate degree as a BSc in Biology and switched to a BSocSc(Hons) in Geography.  She has just completed a Masters thesis that nicely demonstrates the value of a social science analysis for a biodiversity management.  To find out more, read on . . . . .

I would like to introduce ‘FutureProof Planning’ as a new phrase into NZ Planning.  It is planning that looks at a timeframe of more than 100 years in the recognition that global warming is effectively irreversible in the foreseeable future and that the direct and indirect impacts of climate change will impact on our environment, livelihoods and lifestyles in ways that are fundamental.

A recent article published in the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Science  (PNAS) suggests that ‘the c limate change that takes place due to increases in carbon dioxide concentration is largely irreversible for 1,000 years after emissions stop.  (Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Global warming and climate change is now irreversible. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/01/28/0812721106.full.pdf+html )

Did you see any evidence of the new menace threatening the giants of the forest this summer?

Yellowing of foliage, loss of leaves, canopy thinning, dead branches and lesions bleeding resin. Dead kauri. The symptons conjure images of a plague. A fresh onslaught for our scientists and conservationists to grapple with.

Research Project: Sustainable Development and Long-Term Council Community Planning, 2008.  A Work Placement Report by Carla Hemmes

The Faculty of Arts and Social Science has recently introduced a new Work Placement paper, FASS 396 which is open to 3rd year students.  It involves 80 hours in a workplace setting and a report based on the work experience.  Carla Hemmes of the Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning Department, completed her work-based paper at Hamilton City Council in 2008.

The topic of her paper was the concept of sustainable development and how this can be demonstrated in the process of developing Long-term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) under the Local Government Act 2002.

The government has today announced proposed changes to the Resource Management Act 1991. The intention of the changes is to streamline and simplify the RMA and a Bill to that effect will be introduced this month.