CHB.NET.NZ | The CENTRAL HAWKES BAY Community Connection - LOCAL COMMUNITY

AA Summit Launches Global "Make Cars Green" Declaration and 10 Points For Greener Motoring

beverleyfox — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:48:55 +1200

The AA has hosted a global summit on improving the environmental impact of motor vehicles on World Environment Day in Wellington._The Environment, Transport and the Environment Summit was held in Parliament's historic Legislative Council Chamber and attended by representatives from Asian and Pacific motoring clubs, car manufacturers, oil companies, MPs, academia, transport stakeholders, the business community and government departments. Summit speakers included Prime Minister Helen Clark; David Ward, Director-General of the FIA Foundation for the Automobile & Society; Tony Bliss, Lead Road Safety Specialist, The World Bank; and Shoshi Arakawa, Chairman & CEO of Bridgestone Corporation. The FIA Foundation used the Summit to launch the international "Make Cars Green" environmental campaign. The campaign aims to reduce the impact of motoring on our planet, and outlines how policy makers, industry and consumers can all play a constructive role in the future.

Discredited earthquake advice circulating in Hawke's Bay

beverleyfox — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:40:42 +1200

An email promoting incorrect advice about earthquake safety has been causing concern for residents and Civil Defence staff in Hawke's Bay as well as nationally.

This week, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and GNS Science have spoken out against the email, which promotes advice sometimes known as the "triangle of life".

They have done so because the email discourages people from taking what is usually the safest option, which is sheltering under desks or in doorways.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council's emergency management coordinator says she has talked to a number of local people confused by the misleading email and wanting to confirm what they should do.

"The best action to take in an earthquake is still the same 'drop, cover and hold' technique which is sound advice is based on knowledge of New Zealand buildings and earthquakes," says Lisa Pearse, emergency management coordinator.

"Most worrying is that we have had enquiries from schools.

"They definitely should be teaching children the agreed New Zealand safety advice which the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management provides in education kits and on their website."

The drill practised by schoolchildren will protect people in most earthquakes - drop, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on, or shelter against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases and other furniture that could fall.

Tougher approach for river reserve areas

beverleyfox — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:40:44 +1200

Hawke's Bay Regional Council today approved a new plan to improve river access areas.

Plagued by increasing costs of removing illegally dumped rubbish, illegal use and dumping of vehicles, and random vandalism, the Council has been looking at tougher measures for a number of river sites.

"Rubbish, car dumping, graffiti and vandalism continues to be the most significant issue for Council with increasing costs falling on ratepayers for cleaning up the mess left by a few irresponsible people, but as these events are random they are difficult to police," says Works Business unit manager, Graeme Hansen.

Council are proposing covert surveillance of some public access areas to gather evidence of illegal activities to enable prosecutions. They will also adopt a new approach to rubbish by removing all rubbish bins from some areas and promote a "you bring it, you take it away" approach.