New era for Environment Canterbury

A security guard at the door was the first sign of a new era in Environment Canterbury (ECan) council meetings.

Inside ECan headquarters yesterday, the seven Government-appointed commissioners, replacing 14 elected councillors, were getting the hang of the microphones and the procedures.

After a powhiri and morning tea, the first meeting of the Canterbury Regional Council Commissioners, as it is being called, began. Under chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley's direction, commissioners quickly got through the agenda and in 45 minutes it was all over, including a session, with the public excluded, to discuss a proposed change to ECan's regional policy statement.

Among those watching the meeting were former councillors Jane Demeter, Rik Tindall, Eugenie Sage and David Sutherland. Bazley said the public could call the commissioners' hotline, 0800266647, or email commissioners@ecan.govt.nz if they had an issue to discuss "I hope they will avail themselves of that," she said.

Bazley told reporters later that Ministry for the Environment support for commissioners was more for liaison purposes. It would help ensure "communication between us and Wellington goes smoothly".

She said she had met representatives of Forest & Bird and Fish & Game, and it would be important for commissioners to decide how they would work with them.

- © Fairfax NZ News