Government announcement incorrect

In the Government announcement regarding the demise of Environment Canterbury a number of questions and answers have been provided by the Government.

The answers regarding Christchurch City Council are not correct. The Government claims that the 10 Canterbury Mayors and their councils were unanimous in their support for the findings of the Review Group.

Christchurch City Councillor Chrissie Williams stated that “The Mayor of Christchurch may have expressed his personal view, but the Christchurch City Council has not discussed the ECan review, has not formed a view, and has not made any resolution or announcement on this issue at all.” She added, “Minister Nick Smith made a brief appearance at the Council meeting on 11 March at which Councillors were able to ask questions, but there was no report, discussion or decision by the Council. He has not met with us at any other time.”

The government questions and answers go on to say ‘The overwhelming view of the 10 city and district councils was that central government intervention was required to address the important issue of water management in Canterbury.’

Councillor Chrissie Williams denied this. “The Christchurch City Council does not have a view on whether intervention was required and has certainly not supported the intervention handed down by the Minsters today.”

“Personally I find the decision and process announced today repugnant,” said Councillor Williams. “Rushing through a Bill to take powers away from elected representatives and give those powers and more to a group of appointed commissioners is a kick at the heart of democracy in this country.”

“Having the commissioners able to make decisions on Water Conservation Orders for our rivers while approving consents for water abstractions from those same rivers for irrigation is horrifying,” said Councillor Williams. “And making the undemocratic and non-statutory Canterbury Water Strategy a statutory document through the Bill imposes on all of us a regime created by a small group of Cantabrians with vested interests.”

“Environment Canterbury has an important role in the region to consent projects that impact on our water and air. For example it was Environment Canterbury who ensured that he Council remove the wastewater from the Estuary and put it directly to sea – the Council at the time wanted a 35 year consent to continue discharging into the Estuary,” added Councillor Williams.

ENDS

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