A suggestion an independent commissioner is needed to hear submissions on the Otago Regional Council's "ground breaking" rural water regulations turned into a major debate on integrity and public perception, at a recent committee meeting.
The council's policy and submissions committee was considering a routine request by staff to appoint a panel to hear submissions and make recommendations on proposed Plan Change 6A (water quality).
Committee chairman, Cr Michael Deaker, said the proposed changes were a significant issue which councillors had pitched, explained and advocated to the community, yet they were supposed to sit on the panel objectively.
Having an independent commissioner with expertise in water science could be an advantage on the panel, he said.
Cr Doug Brown said the "rest of the nation" was watching the process, so he "strongly" supported the idea.
"At the end of the day, it is the high-profile public part of the process . . . and will draw people into regional council activities that have not [been involved] before."
Cr Gerry Eckhoff said he thought it would be a "prudent step" to prevent it looking like the council was "sitting in judgement" on its own policies.
"There is the potential for significant controversy. Justice has to be seen to be done - it's not challenging the integrity of councillors."
Cr Sam Neill said while the council thought it was the "bee's knees", it was more important how it looked to the public.
"We need to show independence, that people will be heard completely independently."
Cr Trevor Kempton said the proposed changes were "ground-breaking stuff" and the situation needed to be "clearly and visibly played straight".
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said the regional council had a proud record of managing its processes around plan changes and suggested councillors Duncan Butcher, David Shepherd and Bryan Scott sit on the panel.
"I'm struggling to be convinced we need it [an independent member]."
Cr Duncan Butcher said he was not sure what an independent member would add as councillors on panels knew they could only make a decision on the information put in front of them.
The Resource Management Act required the council to put in place the plans by going through a process including public consultation.
Cr Louise Croot said councillors were trained and accredited in the resource management process.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said the risk council faced with an independent panel member was the emerging plan not fulfilling its purpose.
The only times the council had problems with decisions was when independent commissioners made decisions on behalf of the council that were discordant with council direction, he said.
Cr Eckhoff called for the committee to add an independent member to the panel.
When it came time to vote, councillor Scott abstained and Mr Woodhead called for the votes to be recorded.
The vote for an independent member was won six councillors to four.
Then all but Cr Scott voted the hearing panel be made up of Cr Butcher as chairman, Cr Scott and Cr Shepherd plus an independent commissioner.
The independent commissioner would be selected by the council's appointment committee.
