Summary of Accomplishments of Transition Town Motueka 2008-9.

Ron Sharp and Joanna Santa Barbara got together in Autumn of 2008 to begin a Transition Intiative in Motueka, gathering around them a rapidly growing group of people interested in working in the same direction. Regular meetings began mid-year. Working groups began on a number of issues. Several large meetings were held, with much creative and visionary thinking. The following has been accomplished:

v      The Jayride system for carpooling is now operating, assisted by the Tasman District Council. The aim of this is to reduce the consumption of petrol in the region. The hope is that as use of the Jayride system increases, it will become evident that we need a public transport system.

v      An alternative currency for Motueka, TALENTS, has been developed with much thought, and is now in use for local trading. It will be promoted in the Sunday Market in February and March.

v      There seems to have been a growth in home gardening in the town over this period, some of it promoted by TTM.

v      In cooperation with the Council, an Open Orchard has been planted in Deck’s Reserve, using a range of fruit trees.

v      ‘Potato Power’ was organised to encourage people with little access to land to grow their own vegetables.

v      An idea first presented at a TTM meeting on the use of orchard crop waste to provide firewood for Morueka families has been implemented. This was an interesting example of putting ‘waste’ to further useful purposes, and simultaneously reducing air pollution.

v      A series of seminars to meet learning needs of TTM members and promote public awareness of Transition-relevant issues has been held over 2008-9.

v      The Transition Town Show has been produced fortnightly on Fresh FM Community Access Radio.

v      There was specific TTM input to town planning for the West Motueka development. Issues raised were sea level rise, solar orientation of houses, and green space in relation to housing.

v      The Climate Action Working Group presented several public education seminars, and formed the Grans and Grandpas against Greenhouse Gases singing group.

Clearly there remains a great deal to be done to create a resilient town with a far smaller ecological and carbon footprint, but we can be pleased with what we have done so far.