Smith to gauge ECan opinions

Environment Minister Nick Smith will visit Timaru today to discuss a damning report on Environment Canterbury (ECan), as he contemplates his decision on the regional council's future.

The review, led by former National MP Wyatt Creech, recommended sacking ECan's councillors and replacing it with independent commissioners, saying it had failed in managing the region's water resources.

Dr Smith will meet the Timaru, Waimate and Mackenzie district councillors today to discuss the review's implications.

A spokesman for Dr Smith said the ministry had not reached a decision on the review's recommendations, but it was seeking further feedback from district councillors and stakeholders.

Dr Smith has previously acknowledged that should the government wish to sack the council, it would have to pass special legislation, as the "trigger levels" have not been reached under the Local Government Act. It is understood a delegation of ECan councillors, including chairman Alec Neill, will also meet Dr Smith today.

Earlier this month, ECan councillors sent a compromise offer to the government, suggesting the council continue to manage the functions outside water, with a "commissioner-adviser" overseeing water management.

The offer was signed by 11 of the 14 councillors, but two of its signatories – Rik Tindall and David Sutherland – have since indicated their unease with the plan.

Mr Tindall told the Herald that he felt Mr Neill made a "syntactical leap" between what was initially proposed, and what was eventually decided.

He said he opposed any "Chamberlain-style mission" that would cede important statutory responsibilities for no good reason.

"My understanding was that there would be an adviser from the Ministry of Environment who would help ECan with issues surrounding water, rather than taking it over entirely – a move that would further fragment ECan."

Mr Tindall was not sure whether he would withdraw his signature from the submission, but said some constituents had asked him to consider it.

Mr Sutherland said he would support a commissioner helping with ECan's water management, as long as all of council's functions remained intact.

"ECan has been looking for assistance from the government for some time," he said.

"I think the appointment would be a win-win for everyone, as it would help the ECan council to ensure integrated management of water under the Resource Management Act."

- © Fairfax NZ News