Hide orders ECan probe

Rodney Hide has ordered his officials to look into the performance of Environment Canterbury in response to a barrage of complaints from the region's mayors.

In an unprecedented move, Canterbury's mayors have written to the Local Government Minister about their "serious concerns" over ECan's performance.

They include Christchurch's Bob Parker and the mayors of Mackenzie, Timaru, Ashburton, Hurunui, Kaikoura, Waitaki, Waimate, Waimakariri, and Selwyn.

Mr Hide said he would ask his officials to investigate whether a review authority would need to intervene.

Among the complaints is one by Timaru District Mayor Janie Annear, who told Mr Hide ECan had potentially driven two major businesses from the region.

ECan's performance has been under fire for some time and chairman Sir Kerry Burke faces a vote of no confidence at tomorrow's council meeting.

Environment Minister Nick Smith has also criticised its slow processing of consents.

In response, Sir Kerry said the mayors' move was "extremely discourteous".

"What really annoys me is the secrecy in which this was all done. There are other ways to deal with these things before you go running to the headmaster," he said.

"All of the district councils have a `no surprises' agreement with the regional council. I have scrupulously endeavoured to avoid commenting on other councils' internal affairs although I have often been sorely tempted to do so."

He said the performance claims were ludicrous and he defended ECan's record.

Mrs Annear said the issues "stem far deeper than at governance level".

If Sir Kerry was replaced after tomorrow's meeting, then the changes would only be cosmetic, she said.

"We do not think ECan has provided for the economic or environmental wellbeing of the region. We did not take the decision to send the letter lightly."

Mrs Annear said the councils had received countless complaints of ECan taking a punitive and proscriptive stance against businesses, while it had failed to show leadership in the issues of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and the Regional Transport Strategy.

She said the mayors did not approach ECan before writing to the Local Government Minister.

"We have engaged with ECan for many years, but we had reached the stage where nothing else could be done."

But Sir Kerry slammed most of the perceived complaints.

"To suggest that ECan has been restrictive towards development is just nonsense. Canterbury has consistently had the highest growth rates in the country, and has survived the recession admirably well," he said.

"We have to find a balance between the environment and the economy, and avoid giving certain groups a blank cheque to do as they desire.

"The Waimakiriri River plan is a classic example of how we've achieved that balance: we've allowed for development, but assured the river hasn't been run dry."

Sir Kerry said the district councils had a history of being confrontational towards ECan.

"This behaviour ... has been going on much longer than I have been around. I am relieved the mayors did not put all the blame at my feet," he said.

"But I do think the timing of this letter, which arrives a few days before the next council meeting, is too cute to be a coincidence."

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