An Ashburton District councillor says beating climate change is about good science over planting bushes.

Councillor Richard Wilson made the comments when the council discussed its feedback on the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan this week.

The plan is being developed under the Canterbury Mayoral Forum structure and sets out how the region's councils intend to work together to support the transition to a ‘thriving, climate-resilient, low-emissions region’.

Wilson supports the plan but was critical of the “narrative around promoting native plantings and regenerative agriculture”.

“We all know that agriculture in our district, through good science and advanced technology will beat climate change rather than planting more bushes and going regenerative.”

Wilson was also critical of the funding split between the councils to action the plan.

“Our district ratepayers and people of Mid Canterbury are paying a large proportion of the amount of it compared to maybe Christchurch City on a per-head population basis.”

The total funding over the next three years is $1.47m - subject to confirmation by each council through long-term plan deliberations.

ECan and Christchurch City are contributing $301,350, Selwyn and Waimakariri pay $157,290, with Ashburton and Timaru at $144,060.

The remaining $264,600 is spread across the Hurunui, Waimate, Waitaki, Kaikoura, and Mackenzie councils.

Ashburton has included funding of $50,000 per year for the first three years in its draft 2024-34 long-term for work related to climate change.

The council’s feedback on the plan included highlighting the risks to the local economy due to its heavy reliance on agricultural production and how the profitability of that production might be affected through climate change mitigation efforts.

They also asked how decision-makers would manage the risks of unintended consequences from decisions as a result of the plan.

The councillors also noted the “importance of continued economic growth” to fund a low-emissions future and maintain affordability for consumers and residents.

The council feedback will be used to produce the final draft of the plan that will go before the Canterbury Mayoral Forum around the end of July – after the conclusion of council LTP processes so the funding implications will be confirmed.

By Jonathan Leask