Water Forum meeting notes #6 **************************** 6-December-2009 wf6-6dec09.txt Held in the Sand Dance Cafe, Sunday 6 December 2009, after 7pm meals and the 8pm movie; 12 attended: 1. Water - The Great Mystery (2008) 82 minutes "From agriculture to factories and hydropower, we put water to work in a million different ways every day - and yet water acts outside all known physical laws of nature. At a time of global climate change, understanding the mysteries of water is critical. Our ignorance of its function and capacities has led us to abuse its quality and forget its potential. Unveil enlightened information and new scientific discoveries that create new possibilities for water's use in every field of endeavor." - inspired a very good discussion. 2a. Reports - Water Forum extra, climate issues talk by Dr Tony Raizis on 29 November @ Sand Dance Cafe was excellent. 14 attended. H2S, Siberian methane, animal protein costs, etc. etc. Slides available upon request. Event set item 5. and progressed segments 2b & 2c too: 2b. Xmas parade organising workshop - hire / wear animal suits, bring/cycle props, e.g. iceberg/s, green t-shirts, carry paintings & pictures, facepainting will be available for kids, water-coloured crepe to wave, all ideas welcome, etc. Meet 10am on Sat 5 Dec at Marine Parade assembly point - access from Lonsdale Street. 2c. Waitangi Water Festival 'water alive' organising committee update, for February 2010 - separate meeting process and email list - contact Julie. Good discussion. Many new strands of contribution coming forward now, e.g. vegetarian food show, and meatworks Wamakariri River outfall cleansing issue. Business plan drafting workshop Tues 1 Dec @ Sand Dance Cafe 7pm. 3. Resolved: Water Forum 6Dec09 agenda item 3: proposal by a forum member re http://www.treesforcanterbury.org.nz - for a Water Festival module? "I am wondering whether we should be becoming involved and supporting groups like trees for Canterbury. We also need to work out how to acquire more land for the process. The ETS may be a way to get some funding for the task, except that it is not much money given the cost of land. However, if a proportion of the land was used for other activities that made money then it could become self sustaining. I have been thinking of buying a 4 hectare block to plant 3 hectares of trees and one hectare for something else that made money e.g. tunnel houses for horticulture, using windmils and solar panels for energy to advance as a model of sustainability. It would need to be a collaborative venture, because I don't have enough money to do it alone, however, I could raise a bit of capital for such a venture." 4. Resolved: Water Forum email rules. Criteria in use for determining Water Forum 'active' email list inclusion - person has: i) expressed an interest in being part of the Water Forum; and ii) attended Water Forum; and iii) stated what organisational representation/s they are maintaining while attending Water Forum; and iv) not disseminated Water Forum 'active' email content without consulting the Forum list first; and v) not expressed the desire to exit from the Water Forum email list. - All of the above conditions must apply to continue to receive all the Water Forum 'active' list emails/chat. - A lighter throughput, opt-in/out Water Forum 'notices' email list is also available; write to rik[AT]infohelp.co.nz to be included. 5. We scheduled a special Rawhiti Trees meeting for next Sunday 13 Dec 8pm, to be presented by Sue Trayling, based upon the 29 November "Water Forum extra" precedent and resolution. This meeting will conclude the 2009 Water Forum series, as a 'Christmas wind-up'; notes by Sue. Only the Water Festival organising committee will definitely continue to operate between 14 Dec and 6 Feb - contact Julie or Rik to become involved in the committee's work. 6. New Brighton Water Festival - 'water alive' Waitangi 2010 - organising committee update - invite: http://infohelp.co.nz/pix/water-alive.jpg Julie detailed the Festival launch module for 6 Feb - an 'Honouring Water' ceremony. The Forum endorsed Rik's offer to chair the Festival committee, for ensuring that Julie gets the level of support she needs, as Festival event coordinator, to create a Water Festival of the highest quality possible within the short time frame. 7. Any Other Business: Brian brought along the late Mia Colbert's short film (~15mins) on Bexley Wetlands to distribute; an enjoyable screening. Rik was able to provide an update from Andrew Crossland, CCC bird ranger, that removal of sectionds of the bund bisecting the wetland - to increase the tidal flow and the size of central bird sanctuary significantly - had struck objection from some residents in the newer development who like to walk dogs along there. Just one third of the wetland had been conserved when development went ahead in the early 1990s. Swamps face objection too. 8. Notice: climate "Vigil For Survival" - 12 December 5pm-10pm Chch Cathedral Square - http://www.350.org/node/13660 - bring a candle, warm clothes etc. End of 2009 Water Forum series, as of Sunday 13 Dec. Edit: Sun 17 Jan 2010 12:42:56 NZDT