What is sustainability?

Sustainability is most commonly defined as "Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainability recognises that for humanity to continue to prosper it must do so within the ecological limits of the earth, while maintaining social stability and economic activity.

Another way to think of sustainability is "if everyone in the world lived like a New Zealander we would need three planets".

The realisation that we must begin to live within sustainable limits prompted us to begin to alter the way we live in order to achieve sustainability.

Further information on sustainability can be found at www.sustainability.govt.nz.

Sustainability in Manukau

Manukau City Council has a number of initiatives in place to operate in a more sustainable way and promote sustainable living.

Sustainable features of the recent Civic building refit
Sustainable living programme
Recycling
Create your own eden
Housing for the elderly refurbishment
Move Me travel plan
Snug homes programme
EcoBiz - free introductory workshop for Manukau businesses

Civic building refit

A number of sustainability and energy reducing features have been included in the recent Civic building refit. These are:

• Daylight sensors that detect when there is enough natural light to work without artificial lighting
• 'Smart' motion sensors in meeting rooms that allow lights to automatically turn on and off as people exit the room
• Lower partitions in offices to allow more natural light into the room and reduce the need for artificial lighting
• A more efficient centralised air conditioning system that results in both energy and cost savings.

back to top

Sustainable living programme

Manukau City Council is a partner in the Sustainable Living Programme. The programme has been developed across New Zealand and provides education and support to help residents live more sustainably.

Courses available include:

• Eco-gardening
• Water
• Energy
• Waste
• Shopping
• Sustainable building
• Building materials
• Composting
• Water-use
• Recycling
• Transport.

The next courses available are:

Highland Park Community House

47 Aviemore Drive Highland Park

Fridays starting 5 February 2010, 12.30pm – 3.00pm
9 weeks
FREE

Topics include transport, organic gardening, composting, water saving, shopping choices, building & renovating, heating efficiency, healthy home, reduced rubbish and more.

Discussion and debate encouraged. Pre-enrolment essential, ph 534 5584.

Anchorage Park Community House

16 Swan Cres, Pakuranga

Tuesdays starting 2 March 2010, 7pm-9.30pm
9 weeks
FREE

Facilitator Terri Marchant.

Topics include transport, organic gardening, composting, water saving, shopping choices, building & renovating, heating efficiency, healthy home, reduced rubbish and more.

Discussion and debate encouraged. Guest speakers most weeks. Certificate of Completion presented at end of course.

Pre-enrolment essential, ph 576 5381.

Additional information and courses can be found at www.sustainableliving.org.nz.

back to top

Recycling

Since the start of council's new recycling service Manukau residents have increased recycling by 32 per cent and reduced what goes to landfill by 14 per cent.

You can find out more about our recycling service here.

back to top

Create your own eden

Our Create Your Own Eden programme encourages householders to put organic waste to work in the garden through composting, worm farms or bokashi. For more information and to sign up for a free course click here or visit or www.createyourowneden.org.nz

back to top

Housing for the elderly refurbishment

The six year refurbishment programme for council's housing for the elderly units is also including a number of sustainability features:

• Installation of ceiling insulation
• Low energy light bulbs
• Water efficient shower heads
• Insulated hot water cylinders

This programme will provide residents with a reduction in their energy bills, as well as increasing the warmth of their homes which will help them stay healthy.

back to top

'Move Me' travel plan

'Move Me' is the council's travel plan, which aims to improve the range of choices we have for travelling to and from work.

The plan looks to reduce single-person car driving and increase walking, cycling, public transport use and carpooling.

Further information on carpooling and sustainble travel can be found at www.travelwise.org.nz.

back to top

Snug homes programme

Council contributes $25,000 annually to the Regional Snug Homes project to help fund insulation in low income households.

The project helps to make homes drier by:

• Installing insulation in the ceiling and floors to reduce heat loss
• Draught-proofing doors
• Providing low flow shower heads
• Providing insulating wraps for hot water cylinders.

For more information click here. You can also contact an independent energy advisor through the Ecomatters Trust.

EcoBiz - free introductory workshop for Manukau businesses

EcoBiz, is a subsidised business partnership programme promoted by the councils in the Auckland region for 2010.

EcoBiz focuses on improving the environmental performance of businesses by reducing solid waste, use of energy, water and materials efficiency. 

Businesses not only gain these great results when they are part of EcoBiz, they gain a competitive advantage over other businesses.

The launch EcoBiz Introductory Workshop will be held in Auckland city on 11 March 2010 and is open to all businesses in the Manukau area to attend for free.  This workshop will be the opportunity for businesses to join with either: 

• Eco Warranty, an Environmental accreditation product, for $1 850, with a $700 subsidy
• Sustainable Edge, an Environmental auditing product, for $950 with a $500 subsidy
• Sustainable Business Network's - Get Sust Online tool and ACE Carbon Calculator for $297 for free 
• Envirostep, a free online tool

In addition, throughout 2010 a series of EcoBiz workshops will be available to Manukau businesses to attend which will inform then on practical things they can do.  EcoBiz aims to not only improve the environmental performance of Manukau businesses but to help to create more innovative, resilient and successful businesses ready for whatever comes their way.

For more information about EcoBiz and seminars click here (PDF 512k).

The EcoBiz Programme is funded by Rodney District Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Auckland City Council, Auckland Regional Council, Manukau City Council, Papakura District Council and Franklin District Council.

back to top