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Author: Paul on the Peninsula

My name is Paul Pope and I have lived in Portobello on the Otago Peninsula for the last 30 years. I served on the the Otago Peninsula Community Board since 2013 and have ben Chairman since 2016. I'm a community-minded problem-solver and advocate for the people and places I represent. As a practicing ecologist and project manager I've paid my dues in the outdoors, board rooms and public halls of communities across Otago. I love storytelling and photography and have a genuine interest in teaching people more about the world around them.
For whom the Road Tolls

For whom the Road Tolls

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Its been an interesting last few weeks locally as the City Council deliberates over the Annual Plan. I managed to catch a couple of submissions from Peninsula residents on the Portobello Road widening schedule. Most speakers spoke well and passionately about the road issues, but one question that was raised regularly by Councillors was whether Peninsula residents would support a targeted rate. It’s not the first time that the financial issues around the use and development of Portobello Road have caused consternation…

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Public Transport on the Peninsula

Public Transport on the Peninsula

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With the Otago Regional Council looking at transferring the management of the bus service to the Dunedin City Council. . While no timeframe has been given for the proposed transfer of management its probably a good time for Otago Peninsula residents to consider their use of the current service and what their needs are. Public transport services are important for our area and especially for the many high school children who use them. Currently, the Peninsula service is heavily subsidised and…

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Getting Onboard

Getting Onboard

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People often ask me what the Community Board actually does. In some regards it acts as a conduit between the City Council and other agencies and the community. Given that Board members come from the community they are able to have a good understanding of what some of the issues and provide “local knowledge” about problems, plans or ways to improve issues for local residents. Perhaps the main role of the Board is in consultation and acting as a sounding…

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Trial by Bylaw

Trial by Bylaw

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I’m just not convinced that city councillors fully understand the freedom camping issue on the Peninsula (ODT). Undertaking “Bylaw by trial” is not what’s required here and its a poor alternative to appropriate policy based on real evidence and research. The other issue is the fallacy that “there must be a demand” because of the people using Macandrew Bay as a camping site. That’s like saying all students are drunks because of the broken glass in the street. By creating the site at…

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Is the Annual Plan like Christmas?

Is the Annual Plan like Christmas?

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  It’s Local Government Annual Plan  season again, and regional and district councils across the country are preparing their annual plans for public consultation. Unlike Christmas the annual plan season is not something  that communities count down to with anticipation of lavish celebrations or expensive gifts. In fact local government annual planning is more akin to looking at the credit card bill after Christmas. Reading through the pages of charges and sighing that buying grandma a set of pearl handled revolvers instead of a…

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A Lapse in Concentration

A Lapse in Concentration

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I’ve been a little tardy at utilising my blog to discuss the issues that I meet in a weekly basis in my role as Deputy Chairman of the Otago Peninsula Community Board. I could blame distractions like family or work but largely its been a lapse in literary concentration. So with new resolve I’m going to make a better effort to write more about my observations of life on the Otago Peninsula. Freedom Camping Freedom camping has been the hot topic…

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Now that the dust has settled…

Now that the dust has settled…

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Well the elections are over and I have to say that I was delighted to be elected by the community to represent the Otago Peninsula. The last few weeks have seen a round of introductory meetings and the  inevitable advice from the City Council staff on what our role and obligations are. Its all quite serious stuff and you realise that after the hype of the elections that there is real work to do. What’s been great is the positive…

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WALHI: Pengawal Alam dan Lingkungan di Indonesia

WALHI: Pengawal Alam dan Lingkungan di Indonesia

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WALHI, atau Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, adalah organisasi non-pemerintah yang aktif dalam menjaga dan melindungi lingkungan hidup di Indonesia. Sejak berdiri, WALHI telah menjadi pengawas serta advokat masyarakat dan ekosistem yang terdampak kerusakan alam. Organisasi ini mendorong pembangunan berkelanjutan, memantau praktik industri, dan memastikan hak masyarakat terdampak tetap terlindungi. Dengan keberadaan WALHI, isu lingkungan mendapat perhatian luas dan mendorong pemerintah serta pihak swasta bertindak lebih bertanggung jawab. Dalam menjalankan misinya, wahana lingkungan hidup indonesia melakukan advokasi, kampanye, dan pendidikan lingkungan….

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WALHI: Pelopor Gerakan Lingkungan Hidup di Indonesia

WALHI: Pelopor Gerakan Lingkungan Hidup di Indonesia

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WALHI, atau Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, adalah organisasi non-pemerintah yang berperan aktif dalam perlindungan dan pelestarian lingkungan hidup. Sejak berdiri, WALHI telah menjadi pengawas sekaligus advokat bagi masyarakat dan ekosistem yang terdampak kerusakan lingkungan. Organisasi ini mendorong pembangunan yang berkelanjutan, memantau praktik industri, dan memastikan hak masyarakat terdampak tetap terlindungi. Dengan keberadaan WALHI, isu lingkungan menjadi perhatian serius di tingkat nasional dan semakin dikenal masyarakat luas. Dalam menjalankan misinya, wahana lingkungan hidup indonesia melakukan berbagai kegiatan advokasi, kampanye publik, dan…

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WALHI: Menggerakkan Kesadaran Lingkungan di Indonesia

WALHI: Menggerakkan Kesadaran Lingkungan di Indonesia

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Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia, atau WALHI, adalah organisasi lingkungan terbesar di Indonesia yang berperan aktif dalam melindungi alam dan mengelola sumber daya secara berkelanjutan. Sejak berdirinya, WALHI telah melakukan berbagai program advokasi, kampanye publik, dan edukasi lingkungan. Organisasi ini berkomitmen melawan praktik perusakan alam, termasuk deforestasi, pencemaran air dan udara, serta eksploitasi sumber daya alam yang merugikan masyarakat dan ekosistem. Sebagai lembaga advokasi, Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia memiliki peran strategis dalam mengawal kebijakan pemerintah dan perusahaan agar lebih ramah lingkungan….

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