Public transport and climate change top issues
Vision for reliable public transport and train services
Sam Ferguson is a sitting member of Horizons Regional Council and is standing again. “We need urgent action on climate change. Our environment and waterways are degraded and polluted, our native fish and animals are becoming extinct. We need to put the environment at the centre of everything we do and ensure we leave a stronger and healthier planet for future generations,” he said.
That and public transport are items high on his agenda.
“Public transport is way below the level it should be and I have led the region through the preparation of a 10 year transport plan that will deliver much better outcomes for our local community. My vision is that people have access to reliable frequent public transport and train services. I support enhanced Capital Connection rail services which ensure we have multiple trains a day running through our district.”
Horizons Regional Council is not directly involved in the ownership and delivery of Three Waters, he said.
“Three Waters includes drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. Over the last few weeks we have seen sewage treatment plants discharge untreated waste into our local rivers due to stormwater overload, this is completely unacceptable and highlights the need for proper investment in these critical assets. I see merit in a model like that proposed for three waters, or something similar.
“The Levin Landfill has caused too much harm for too long to the local community and needs to be closed in its current form. I support our community taking much more responsibility for our waste and putting priority into resource recovery and waste reduction through a range of measures.
“We need a much stronger focus on reuse of materials. The waste we generate leaves a legacy for future generations to deal with. Regional and local councils should be identifying solutions to ensure reuse and recycling is readily available to our communities. We need to be working with central government to ensure we can prevent waste being generated in the first place.”
He has a concern about expanding townships.
“Expanding our towns into farmland is an expensive way to deliver new housing and has a range of environmental issues. I support a focus on medium density quality housing within our existing towns. This helps reduce costs and strengthens our communities.
“Affordable housing is not just the cost to build, it is also the cost to live in and get around. Quality medium density housing provides lower running costs and can make it much easier for people to access the community through walking and cycling, which is significantly cheaper than running a car for many of these trips.
“Horowhenua District Council have planning tools to encourage medium density housing and I would like to see those tools used alongside Horizons Regional Council delivering frequent and reliable public transport services to these areas.
“Horizons Regional Council needs to be delivering much better transport services to ensure our community can access the health services around our region. I will continue to support the work of Horowhenua District Council as they engage health providers and explore health solutions for our community.
“I continue to advocate for better train and bus service for the Horowhenua, connecting our local communities and ensuring connections with Wellington and Palmerston North. I will continue to support the Capital Connection rail service replacement project and the Regional Public Transport Plan which lays out a clear vision for public transport in our region.
“I support the need to improve safety on our road network and move traffic out of our town through a bypass route. Our councils need to continue to take a health led approach. I support many of the steps central government has taken during this pandemic to ensure we put people’s health first.”