Voting has already opened for the local body elections. Environment Canterbury is being restored to full democratic representation after nearly 10 years of appointed commissioners.
Here is what some of our rural community hope the new ECan will deliver.
Rebecca Whillans, general manager Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Limited
The Regional Councils will be facing some massive challenges following the announcement of the action plan for Freshwater Management. I am aware that unless the Government modifies their position, this will result in devastating outcomes on our region's economy and community.
I would like to congratulate ECan on the courageous actions they have taken to date to put in place effective plans and encourage hopeful candidates to focus on implementing these plans. We now need a period of consolidation to encourage change on the ground.
Katrina Kelly, Southern Canterbury A&P Association secretary
I would like to see more of an effort to have town and country come together, as our urban people see too much negative publicity about the country and farmers and there [are] so many positive things happening that need to be brought to people's attention. Attending their local shows would be a great way for the council to connect to both town and country people and find out what people want.
David Birkett, Leeston, arable farmer, former Foundation for Arable Research board chairman
One of the problems regional councillors face is that most of the policy they have to implement comes from central government, and it doesn't always align with what can be achieved. Whoever gets elected, if they can get their heads around that, it will make a difference.
I think we are all aware of the environmental issues and we've all got some cleaning up to do - both rural and urban. And the sooner we can get on with that the better.
Like most elections there will be a bit of apathy. Will it make a lot of difference who we elect? Yes, I think it will.
Ostler Wines Ltd managing director Jim Jerram, Kurow
The major issue causing the creation of the Government Commission's appointment was a very unbalanced council composition, with the majority of councillors from urban Christchurch responsible for the governance of the largest rural area in New Zealand. Additionally, the autocratic chairman appeared to have Waitaki's representation disestablished on the basis of local government population rules, but actually because of a fall-out with the Waitaki incumbent.
Wish list: Effective regional council governance by a spread of effective regional representatives.
Karl Dean, Leeston, sharemilker, Federated Farmers North Canterbury dairy chairman
As farmers we need councillors elected who will treat the Resource Management Act as intended.
The four values - environment, economics, people and culture - all need to be balanced going forward and we need councillors who can see that and use it to create rules and plan changes that effect everyone including farmers, who have large economic risk if the rules are focused too much on the environment and not balanced.
