Environment Canterbury's work under the gun

BY PAUL GORMAN - ENVIRONMENT REPORTER

A commissioner may end up running Environment Canterbury (ECan) if an unprecedented investigation of its performance fails to make a difference.

Two Government-ordered reviews were announced yesterday as the regional council's annus horribilis continues.

One review will look into its resource management functions, while the other will consider its governance.

Environment Minister Nick Smith said the Government was not satisfied with ECan's performance in:

Efficiently processing resource consents

Developing a proper framework for managing Canterbury's natural resources

Managing relationships with the region's local authorities.

ECan sources said there was a feeling the beleaguered council had been lucky to escape having a commissioner appointed.

However, Smith told The Press that he and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide were "leaving the door open" for that if necessary.

Commissioners could be appointed to either replace the ECan council or run its resource management activities.

"The Government isn't ruling out further intervention," Smith said.

"But given the constructive way in which ECan has engaged in this process, I think it's unlikely we would take that step."

A commissioner appointed under the Local Government Act could sack the council and take over its functions.

Canterbury's 10 mayors wrote to Hide last month, complaining about ECan's performance.

Smith revealed that officials raised concerns about ECan within days of his appointment as a minister nearly a year ago.

"I have serious concerns about the effectiveness of the council's broader environmental management that warrants investigation," Smith said.

"Their performance as 84th out of 84 [the 85th, Rangitikei, failed to answer the survey] in terms of processing consents [in the 2007-08 financial year] added weight to the recom-mendation we intervene, and the mayors' letter to the Min-ister of Local Government drew him into the process."

However, Smith said discussions with ECan chief executive Bryan Jenkins and new chairman Alec Neill had shown "real enthusiasm to make this successful and get ECan back on the right track".

Political opponents said the Government moves were motivated more by the concerns of agriculture interests in Canterbury's water than the environment.

Labour environment spokesman Shane Jones said he feared the Government agenda was to circumvent the Resource Management Act to deliver more water to agribusiness.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said ECan had "got in the way of some of the big irrigators, upset some of the mayors from the big irrigators' councils down south, so they've gone for ECan for standing up for the environment like they have".

Jenkins told ECan staff yesterday the review would take place over three weeks in November, with a report due back to the ministers before Christmas.

"While it is unsettling for a review team to be appointed, I am proud of the work we do and the outcomes that we achieve in dealing with complex issues," Jenkins said in an email to staff.

The new chairman, Alec Neill, said he had been aware of the move since he became chairman a month ago.

"We can't hide from the reality that there are concerns. Look, we're not going to get into denial – we want to face those concerns and address them as appropriate," Neill said.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the processing of consents had been a key issue for the region and a cause of concern for councils, mayors and private citizens.

"My understanding is ECan responded directly to those concerns from mayors to the ministers, and, subsequently, the ministers have decided to take the action they have taken. Quite clearly they still feel there is a matter to investigate.

"With attacks from some within ECan on those complaints from mayors, my view was the appointment of a commissioner was looking more likely by the day.

Parker welcomed an independent assessment, saying it would result in a more efficient outcome for the province.

Timaru District Mayor Janie Annear said the primary concern had always been for the Canterbury region, "now and for the future".

"Let's find out what's wrong and see if it can be fixed. We've got to stop pretending all is well."

TIMELINE

April 2009: Environment Minister Nick Smith's technical advisory group suggests scrapping regional councils.

June: Smith announces the Government is to control water management – one of ECan's major tasks – until it is convinced it is being handled in the right way and "at the right level".

June: A Ministry for the Environment report places ECan 84th out of 85 councils for the speed with which it processes resource consents (the 85th council, Rangitikei, failed to provide data). In the 2007-08 year, ECan only had a 29 per cent compliance rate, the report said.

June: Smith attacks ECan in Parliament, saying its performance is "hopeless" and that he is not ruling out sacking elected councillors.

August: The Turnbull Group of economic, engineering and environmental consultants recommends scrapping regional councils.

September: Canterbury's 10 mayors write to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide launching a blistering attack on ECan's performance in many areas.

September: Ructions around the council table as long-standing chairman Sir Kerry Burke is ousted by predominantly rural and conservative councillors and replaced by long-standing political rival, Alec Neill.

Yesterday: Smith and Hide announce Government investigation of ECan.

- © Fairfax NZ News