ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY:

Proposed Plan Change 1 to the Canterbury RPS - Airport Noise Contours

Client:
Christchurch International Airport Ltd
Date:
2009
Objectives:
To prepare evidence on social effects of aircraft noise, based on the survey of Christchurch residents’ experience of environmental noise.
Major activities:
- additional 1 dBA analysis of survey results;
- analysis of statistical significance of noise effects with distance.
Outputs:
Statement of evidence to Plan Change hearing

National Policy Statement on Flood Risk Management

Client:
Ministry for the Environment
Date:
2008
Objectives:
To identify and scope the potential social implications of adopting a National Policy Statement on Flood Risk Management
Major activities:
- review policy development documentation;
- two district-level case studies (Waimakariri/Canterbury and Whakatane/Bay of Plenty).
Outputs:
SIA Report to the Ministry
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Air Quality Plan for Christchurch City

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2001-2004
Objectives:
To prepare a social impact assessment which focuses on domestic heating aspects for the Christchurch Clean Air Zone, reviews existing studies, assesses the effects of two variations of rule packages and provides advice on issues relating to financial incentives and assistance, with particular attention to the eligibility criteria for disadvantaged households.
Major activities:
- review of baseline air quality and demographic data related to domestic heating using solid fuels;
- conduct semi-structured interviews with key informants in the wood supply sector, the social service sector and the home heating appliance sector;
- review complementary programmes;
- assess needs for financial assistance and incentives and associated eligibility criteria.
Outputs:
SIA Report to the client (November 2001)
Statement of evidence to the Plan Change hearing.
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Air Quality Plan for Rangiora and Kaiapoi

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2007
Objectives:
To prepare a social impact assessment which focuses on domestic heating aspects for the Rangiora and Kaiapoi Clean Air Zones, assesses the effects of a proposed rule package and provides advice on issues relating to financial incentives and assistance, with particular attention to the eligibility criteria for disadvantaged households.
Major activities:
- analysis of specific demographic statistics on home heating with solid fuels;
- key-informant interviews with social service providers and providers of home heating appliances and advice in Kaiapoi and Rangiora.
Outputs:
SIA Report to the Client
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Air Quality Plan for Ashburton

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2008
Objectives:
To prepare a social impact assessment which focuses on domestic heating aspects for the Ashburton Clean Air Zone, assesses the effects of a proposed rule package and provides advice on issues relating to financial incentives and assistance, with particular attention to the eligibility criteria for disadvantaged households.
Major activities:
- analysis of specific demographic statistics on home heating with solid fuels;
- review existing targeted assistance programme on home retrofits in Ashburton;
- key-informant interviews with social service providers in Ashburton.
Outputs:
SIA Report to the Client
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Air Quality Plan for Nelson City

Client:
Nelson City Council
Date:
2002-2003
Objectives:
To prepare a social impact assessment which focuses on domestic heating aspects for the Ashburton Clean Air Zone, assesses the effects of a proposed rule package and provides advice on issues relating to financial incentives and assistance, with particular attention to the eligibility criteria for disadvantaged households.
Major activities:
- analysis of specific demographic statistics on home heating with solid fuels;
- key-informant interviews with social service providers and providers of home heating appliances and advice in Nelson
Outputs:
SIA Report to the Client
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Background Research for National Environmental Research Road Map

Client:
Ministry of Research, Science & Technology
Date:
2006
Objectives:
To investigate the value to be obtained in integrating different types of science to better understand the policy and management options for addressing an environmental issue in order to inform Government and Private Sector adaptation strategies.
Major activities:
Interviews with research providers in the field of climate change research
Outputs:
Report to the Client (August 2006)
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Background Research for National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Road Map

Client:
Ministry of Research, Science & Technology
Date:
2006
Objectives:
To investigate the practical benefits resulting from collaboration between social scientists and nanotechnology researchers.
Major activities:
Interviews with research providers in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology research
Outputs:
Report to client (August 2006)
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Implementing Regional Wetlands Policy

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2005
Objectives:
To explore with stakeholder groups in several areas of the Canterbury region how the regional council should approach its responsibilities for implementing regional wetlands policy.
Major activities:
Three focus groups
Outputs:
Report to client (May 2005)
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Living Streams

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2003
Objectives:
To explore with rural ratepayers in several areas of the Canterbury region how the regional council should approach communicating its key messages regarding rehabilitation of lowland streams.
Major activities:
Three community meetings
Outputs:
Report to client (June 2003)
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River Guardians

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2007
Objectives:
To conduct a literature search and review on education, behaviour change and participation for the purposes of promoting greater public engagement in the management of urban rivers and estuaries.
Major activities:
- internet-based literature search;
- targeted telephone interviews with research managers in universities and Local Authorities;
- literature review.
Outputs:
Report to the client (July 2007)
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Implementing the Regional Biodiversity Strategy

Client:
Environment Canterbury
Date:
2008
Objectives:
To investigate Funding and Incentive Mechanisms for Biodiversity Protection, Maintenance and Enhancement in Canterbury and to provide advice to the regional council on an approach to prioritising expenditure.
Major activities:
- review of the regional biodiversity strategy;
- stocktake of existing funded biodiversity protection programmes, in Canterbury;
- review of approaches to biodiversity protection and funding principles employed by other regional councils;
- key informant interviews with council biodiversity staff and with selected landowners.
Outputs:
Report to the client (December 2008)
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Christchurch Residents' Experience of Environmental Noise

Client:
Christchurch City Council, Christchurch International Airport Ltd, Environment Canterbury
Date:
2001-2002
Objectives:
Provide up-to-date information on city residents' experience of noise, linked to the following key research questions -
  1. what social impacts do residents experience on their properties arising from exposure to various sources of environmental noise?
  2. is there a gradient of impacts related to proximity to the noise sources (particularly airport-related noise)?
  3. does impact vary with certain factors such as length of residence, the presence of sound insulation materials, etc.?
  4. are there some areas of the City where residents are currently experiencing exceptional impacts from environmental noise?
Major Activities:
Design, pilot, administer, analyse and report on a postal questionnaire of ~1,760 Christchurch residents
Outputs:
Statement of evidence to the Environment Court
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Canterbury Regional Council Coal Ban - Social Impact Assessment

Client:
NZ Coal Producers Federation
Date:
1999
Objectives:
Review the social impact assessment work undertaken by the CRC in support of the proposed coal ban.
Major Activities:
Document review, analysis of home heating data.
Outputs:
Evidence for the Canterbury Regional Council hearing
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Auckland Volcanic Field Assessment

Client:
Institute for Geological and Nuclear Sciences (ARC)
Date:
1998
Objectives:
  1. Review the literature on the economic consequences of natural hazards (in general) at a macro and micro
  2. Use the results of this review to define or identify appropriate parameters from existing data sets to be included in a risk assessment.
Major Activities:
Literature review, risk assessment.
Outputs:
Report to the Auckland Regional Council.
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