ECan's lack of plan 'negligent'

Acting Prime Minister Bill English fired a parting shot at Environment Canterbury (ECan) yesterday, calling its failure to produce a water management plan "negligent".

Speaking at a Deloitte business function in Christchurch yesterday, English said the long-standing uncertainty about water management under ECan had affected the level of investment in Canterbury water schemes.

"The organisation had 15 or 16 years to get a water plan in place and hasn't managed it,"he said.

"In a place where water matters so much, it's just negligent."

The comments come after the Government controversially decided to sack ECan councillors and replace them with commissioners.

They were made the same day that departing ECan deputy chairwoman Jo Kane and former chairman Sir Kerry Burke gave scathing farewell speeches.

English said the Government took over management of Canterbury's water to attract more private investment in irrigation by creating greater certainty around the rules.

"It's getting the regulatory environment right so we can get some decisions and attract capital," he said.

The Government had also been approached by Canterbury organisations and politicians to directly fund a regional irrigation scheme, an idea to which Prime Minister John Key was open, English said.

"Any proposition would have to demonstrate all the commercial solutions had been exhausted."

Environmental groups have accused the Government of presiding over a water grab, claiming legislation used to take over Canterbury's water management undermined environmental protection in favour of commercial exploitation.

English said the ECan takeover would benefit both potential water investors and environmental groups.

- © Fairfax NZ News