‘Sustainable development’ – a poster we noticed in France where durable means sustainable and both mean something that can last. The problem is that the meaning in practice has been obscured by its constant use as a buzzword.
This was one of the comments made by the Mayor Ross Church following the decision to scrap the Sustainable Home and Garden Show subsidy. He says Council staff is regularly out in the community working with groups and individuals about practical ways of playing their part in making Kāpiti sustainable.
“We will continue to have a strong focus on sustainability. We‘re planning a special exhibit at Waitangi Day and will be bringing back an extended Greener Neighbourhoods competition, as well as other things too.”
Presumably the meaning ascribed to the home and garden show is ‘eco-friendly’ but that has become another buzzword too, and we’ve seen that in the propaganda for the Maypole company subdivisions. Groan.
As in all things, it’s “show me, don’t tell me.” The big disappointment for us as conservationists this year was the relaxing of the rules on native tree protection by the council.
If the council produces a pamphlet showing how citizens can be less wasteful and polluting and includes it with the next rates statement, then it would make amends with disappointed environmentalists.
The evidence to suggest that the Sustainable Garden Show is no longer popular is flimsy. In the debate Councillor Gurunathan revealed his true colours and they are apparently no longer green. At the last election he presented himself as green including bizarrely grass growing on his head.
Last week Councillor Gurunathan supported the decision to stop funding the Sustainable Garden Show. His vote was critical.
This money is being diverted to a boy toy’s event of wings and wheels whose popularity is yet to be tested. Now that event has been postponed one week after approval!!!! Goodness gracious.