Guy Coulson
Vote Guy #1 for Stoke-Tāhunanui
Nelson
A thriving sustainable environment and economy
A vote for me will be a vote for a truly sustainable, inclusive long-term future for Nelson, focusing on environmental and business sustainability, both of which are at the heart of a thriving community.
Why is a climate scientist standing for council in Nelson?
I have a good understanding of many of the key challenges facing our region. I will bring some much needed joined-up thinking to the benefit of the people of Nelson.
Having spent a long time in climate and air quality research and management, I have a proven track record of tackling difficult problems. I am a small business owner and understand the drivers and barriers for local business. I’ve worked with many local and central government bodies, as well as with members of the public and community groups.
As Tangata Tiriti, I support democracy, inclusion and transparency.
Why is a climate scientist standing for council in Nelson?
I have a good understanding of many of the key challenges facing our region. I will bring some much needed joined-up thinking to the benefit of the people of Nelson.
Having spent a long time in climate and air quality research and management, I have a proven track record of tackling difficult problems. I am a small business owner and understand the drivers and barriers for local business. I’ve worked with many local and central government bodies, as well as with members of the public and community groups.
As Tangata Tiriti, I support democracy, inclusion and transparency.
How to achieve a sustainable future
The key to keeping costs down is understanding how many issues are inextricably linked. There is often no single solution for each one and decisions made in one area can have knock-on effects in other areas. For example, well designed urban centres include land use planning that improves climate resilience but also creates infrastructure that increases transport choices and helps keep the cost of living down.
I will champion integrated actions that address as many issues as possible – to get best value for money and keep costs to a minimum.
Economies don’t exist in a vacuum; they need thriving communities and healthy environments (both built and natural) to truly flourish. Which is why I will support business communities by helping to provide the conditions they need – flourishing, inclusive and resilient town centres in Stoke and Tāhunanui as well as Nelson city centre, with
Policies and initiatives that I would like to pursue include
Increase transport choice by promoting safe, active and low emissions transport options
Develop sustainable long-term planning initiatives that include compact urban centres in Stoke, Tāhunanui and Nelson, which
I will champion integrated actions that address as many issues as possible – to get best value for money and keep costs to a minimum.
Economies don’t exist in a vacuum; they need thriving communities and healthy environments (both built and natural) to truly flourish. Which is why I will support business communities by helping to provide the conditions they need – flourishing, inclusive and resilient town centres in Stoke and Tāhunanui as well as Nelson city centre, with
- excellent transport links,
- affordable housing,
- clean air and water and
- well-paying clean-tech jobs.
Policies and initiatives that I would like to pursue include
Increase transport choice by promoting safe, active and low emissions transport options
- increase funding for public transport to improve coverage - that goes from where you are to where you want to be, when you want to go
- increase the cycling network, including cross town routes and bike parking
- provide safe and inclusive walking routes and facilities - improved accessibility, lighting etc
- provide free parking for low emissions vehicles
Develop sustainable long-term planning initiatives that include compact urban centres in Stoke, Tāhunanui and Nelson, which
- are future-proof against climate change - particularly sea level rise and storm inundation
- avoid sprawl onto flood plains and valuable farming land
- bring affordable housing options from one-bedroom apartments upwards
- include safe, active transport options which reduce costs and increase health
- support initiatives that reduce the cost of living and improve wellbeing such as community gardens, active transport and composting
- Create a new knowledge based economy to bring in high paying jobs in high- and clean-tech industries. Encourage students to NMIT and entrepreneurialism to Nelson.
- Implement the Nelson Climate Change Strategy. Reduce transport emissions through integrated transport networks and good urban design.
- Improve air quality by renewing the Nelson Air Plan, which was last updated in 2008 and encouraging a move to clean heating
- Provide support to nelson business to meet sustainability goals
- Lobby central government for the promised full nelson hospital rebuild
- Lobby central government to increase EV charging network as promised at the last general election
- Renew the Tahunanui reserve management plan, which was last updated in 2004.
About Guy
My wife, Esther, and I moved to Aotearoa from the UK with our daughters Ailsa and Freya, in 2005. We lived in Auckland for 15 years where we were active members of a local mountain club, volunteered at the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary and I was a youth football coach, including being an accredited NZ-Football Referee. Having moved to Nelson five years ago, we are members of local tramping clubs, Forest and Bird and are becoming more involved in conservation. Esther is an agriculture teacher at a local secondary school and leads the school’s EnviroGroup. We are both in the third year of learning Te Reo Māori at NMIT allowing better insight into the culture of Aotearoa and engaging with other members of the community.
I’ve managed science and scientists for twenty years and been in environmental research for over forty - including twenty five years as a researcher in atmospheric chemistry and air quality, and six years as an environmental and technology management consultant. This has given me a wide range of experience in management, governance, community engagement and government policy.
I have a PhD in atmospheric chemistry and an MSc in environmental assessment. I previously worked as a researcher at NIWA, the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Essex and as a consultant at Arthur D. Little and Cambridge Consultants.
I’ve managed science and scientists for twenty years and been in environmental research for over forty - including twenty five years as a researcher in atmospheric chemistry and air quality, and six years as an environmental and technology management consultant. This has given me a wide range of experience in management, governance, community engagement and government policy.
I have a PhD in atmospheric chemistry and an MSc in environmental assessment. I previously worked as a researcher at NIWA, the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Essex and as a consultant at Arthur D. Little and Cambridge Consultants.
As your councillor, I want to be a representative for everyone, so let me know what's important to you.
Guy Coulson
Vote Guy #1 for Stoke-Tāhunanui
Email: guy@guycoulson.org
Phone: 021637033
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guyfornelson
If you would like to make a donation to my campaign fund,
please transfer to
Guy Coulson 03-1394-0313863-000
Phone: 021637033
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guyfornelson
If you would like to make a donation to my campaign fund,
please transfer to
Guy Coulson 03-1394-0313863-000
Authorised by Guy Coulson
