Broadening the community’s understanding of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark and its significance in the district is vital, its trust’s new chairman says.
Ms Jansen said it was a personal decision to quit, but she would stay on as a trustee.
Mr McRobie, the Waitaki district councillor for the Ahuriri ward, said he was looking forward to the new role, having previously been a trustee, and knew the ‘‘highs and lows’’ of the public’s view on the aspiring geopark.
Being guided by the trust’s strategic plans — set to be released in the next week — there were four key elements: environment, community, visitors, and economy, Mr McRobie said.
‘‘I’m speaking now as a ratepayer, I suppose there hasn’t been enough talk about the geopark in the community, in I believe, the way it should be,’’ Mr McRobie said.
‘‘There’s a lot of work gone on protecting the hero sites and having discussions with landowners, and we have to do that, but there’s a lot of other things that have gone on as well.’’
Some people had raised concerns the trust would become a council-controlled organisation (CCO), as Mr McRobie was a councillor.
‘‘It’s got nothing to do with a CCO at all.
‘‘The only common factor in it is that I’m the chair now,’’ he said.
The trust also welcomed two new members at the annual meeting — Brett Hudson as a trustee, and Albert Brantley as an advisory trustee.
Mr Hudson is a former National Party list MP, and Mr Brantley is the former chief executive of Genesis Energy and Otakaro Limited, and held a similar role at OceanaGold Ltd.
Mr McRobie said he looked forwards to working alongside them, as they brought a wealth of experience.
