Cantabrians divided over govt decision

The Press - http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/3531345/Cantabrians-d...

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker believes ECan's sacking "is a constructive response to a challenging situation", but Greens co-leader Russel Norman says it is all about the Government "getting their hands" on Canterbury water.

Their comments follow yesterday's Government announcement that Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillors will be sacked, and commissioners appointed.

Those comissioners will have special powers to manage the region's water.

Parker, a key mover against ECan, said he was pleased by the decision.The ECan situation was "terribly disturbing" for any Government to deal with, but "there needed to be a change and the Government has not walked away from the situation", he said.

Parker said Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide deserved credit for their courage.

Timaru Mayor Janie Annear was "hugely relieved", saying: "You can't just put a bandage on the problems there."

However, Christchurch City councillor Chrissie Williams said the decision was "repugnant".

She denied suggestions the council had ever formed an official view on ECan.

"The mayor of Christchurch may have expressed his personal view, but the Christchurch City Council has not discussed the ECan review, has not formed a view, and has not made any resolution or announcement on this issue at all," she said.

ECan deputy chairwoman Jo Kane said her "first inclination was to walk out the door".

"To me, it smacks of them grabbing the gold," Kane said.

"I'm sorry I let you [Cantabrians] down, but your Government has decided that Canterbury doesn't deserve democratic representation for what I consider are very dubious errors. That coven of mayors will now have to take responsibility and accountability for the legacy they leave Canterbury with," she said.

However, ECan councillor Mark Oldfield welcomed the news.

"I have likened this organisation to a fly-blown sheep and I have warned them time and time again what happens to fly-blown sheep," he said.

Norman said commissioners would be more expensive than local councillors.

"So ratepayers are not only paying taxation without representation, they will be paying far more for the people making decisions. It's pretty rank," Norman said.

"There's no question they want to break the water conservation order on the Rakaia.

"It stinks that they are going to be mining the national parks and they are going to be mining the water for irrigation schemes and have the tools to do it.

"It is all bloody obvious it's about them [the Government] getting their hands on the water.

"They're banging this through based on just a dodgy report by the dairy industry guy Wyatt Creech? That's the sole basis for the whole thing and now they're sacking the council," he said.

Christchurch Central Labour MP Brendon Burns said the decision was "a two-fingered salute to Canterbury voters".

"They [Smith and Hide] are saying in effect that Canterbury voters are too thick to work things out for themselves, so let's take the vote off them and we'll do it on their behalf," Burns said.

"To add insult to injury, National is rushing this through Parliament today under urgency with no chance for anyone in Canterbury to have a say."

Forest & Bird South Island conservation manager Chris Todd said replacing the council with Government appointees was a "covert move to fast-track dams".

The same commissioners would also have to set up water storage infrastructure in Canterbury, which was directly in conflict with considerations to protect the Hurunui.

"How can they possibly make an independent decision about a water conservation order?

"Forest & Bird is astonished that the Government is usurping the power of the Environment Court when this case is already under way. This is unprecedented."

Fish & Game regional manager Ross Millichamp said unilateral changes to the water conservation order process were a concern.

The decision to halt the Hurunui River conservation order process just before completion could not be justified, he said.

"I wonder how, or why, this nationally significant piece of legislation has been brought into the review of a single local authority?

"Making water conservation orders subservient to economic and social considerations is contrary to the purpose and intent of this legislation."

However, Irrigation New Zealand chairman Graeme Sutton believed replacing the councillors was a "positive" move.

"Water is too important in Canterbury and the wider New Zealand economy to be used as a political football as ECan councillors have done in the past," he said.

Efficient water management was critical to New Zealand's competitive advantage and Canterbury was strategically important to that, Sutton said.

Ngai Tahu kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon said the tribe "reluctantly" supported the Government' decision.

"Those commissioners will ultimately be judged by the quality of environment outcomes they deliver.

"The environment, in particular our water resources, need to be managed with the utmost care and these changes need to occur in the best interests of our environment and precious resources."

Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury president Michael Morrow said the move highlighted the need for water issues to be resolved on a more determined path.

"I think everybody's aspirations can be met as far as developing water storage and water use, while also making sure that environmental benchmarks go along in parallel with that development," he said.