Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said yesterday all concerns
expressed by his community had been vindicated in the review
of Environment Canterbury, which really proposed dismantling
of the local body.
He said he looked forward to the possibility of a new water
authority being more effective and dealing better with local
communities.
Waitaki catchment residents had not been happy with the way
ECan had dealt with them, resulting in a public meeting at
Glenavy in 2007 calling for a breakaway central South Island
region.
That was picked up by the Waitaki, Waimate, Mackenzie, Timaru
and Ashburton District Councils which explored the option.
Waimate Mayor John Coles said the report supported the 10
Canterbury mayors' concerns with ECan when they wrote to
Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister
Rodney Hide last year.
"In fact, it appears worse than that," he said.
Dr Smith said the report on ECan was "concerning and
challenging".
"It is difficult for the Government to ignore the unanimous
conclusions of the four reviewers and the major issues they
raise about ECan's capacity to manage water in Canterbury,"
he said.
The ministers said the Government had not formed a view on
the major changes proposed in the report.
"We will be consulting with Environment Canterbury,
Canterbury mayors, Ngai Tahu and key water stakeholders
before making any decision.
"Our considerations will be mindful of the recommendations
for urgent intervention but also of the huge significance to
the long-term well being of Canterbury of these proposals,"
the ministers said.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean is keeping "an open mind" on the
review and its recommendations.
"It's important we focus on the review and everyone has time
to assimilate and discuss it," she said.
The review vindicated all the complaints she had received
from constituents about ECan's performance and many of the
recommendations would address issues they raised.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers president Michael Morrow
said the review reflected the poor long-term leadership of
ECan and not the recently elected chairman Alec Neill.
"If you want to know how not to run a regional council then
this report is as critical as you can get.
"I imagine the spotlight will now turn to other regional
councils, given this report could be applied to a number," Mr
Morrow said.
Federated Farmers was now interested in the future and the
leadership being shown by Mr Neill.
A "supertanker of a council" could not be turned around in a
few months and the report gave Mr Neill the ammunition to
bring about wholesale changes.
Mr Morrow suggested the council should be given the chance to
resolve the issues before a commission was appointed to
replace it.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.