At a council meeting last week, Wanaka-based project Alpine Lakes Research and Education Centre asked the regional council to lease it a building it owns in Riverbank Rd.
As Cr Lawton is chairwoman of the project steering committee, some of her fellow councillors were concerned about a possible conflict of interest. Former councillor and politician Gerry Eckhoff also spoke up on the subject, taking issue with Cr Lawton in an email to the Otago Daily Times.
Mr Eckhoff claimed she was using her influence as a councillor to receive "special treatment".
Cr Lawton hit back, saying Mr Eckhoff’s claims were "so not true".
"We saw there was this property, this amazing piece of land with a building and a wet lab and everything that we might need, sitting there vacant — and had been for years."
"All I’m trying to do is get a good outcome for the community."
She said the committee was not a trust, and would never be one. It was likely to sit under the Upper Clutha Lakes Trust once established.
There had been some confusion within the regional council over the proposal, Cr Lawton said. She had expected to have discussions with regional council chief executive Sarah Gardner about what could benefit both groups, but was taken aback when it ended up in front of the council before those discussions could occur.
The proposal was nearly lost, but councillors agreed discussions could take place and the results reported back to the council.
It is not the only site the committee is looking at, with a proposal also made to Fish and Game late last year for land on Stone St.
However, Cr Lawton said as there was no building in place, the cost of establishing the centre there would be significantly higher.
The centre would be a hub for science and education, with a focus on water quality, Cr Lawton said.
