ECan councillors put case for jobs

Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillors "left no stone unturned to put our case" when they met Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide in Christchurch.

Smith and Hide met ECan chairman Alec Neill, deputy chairwoman Jo Kane and Cr Bob Kirk late on Tuesday.

The meeting followed former deputy prime minister Wyatt Creech's recommendation ECan's 14 councillors be sacked and replaced by commissioners.

It was also recommended the region's water management be handled by a new regional authority.

A council submission inviting the appointment of a "commissioner-adviser", but requesting councillors keep their jobs was on the agenda.

Councillors Eugenie Sage and Mark Oldfield refused to sign the submission.

Neill said the trio "had the opportunity to put our alternative proposal and they [the ministers] listened to us".

"We have left no stone unturned to put our case – that's all one can say.

"There's no indication exactly of when we might know [about a decision], but they said within weeks, not months."

Smith and Hide spent two days talking to district councils.

It is understood Ministry for the Environment officials are now writing a paper to be considered by Cabinet.

- © Fairfax NZ News