Ecan's democracy-limiting Bill introduced by Smith

The first reading of the National-led government’s Bill denying full democratic representation at Environment Canterbury took place in Parliament this week.

Environment Minister Nick Smith claims Ecan commissioners have made “huge progress” by continuing the water management strategy set up by their elected predecessors and they must stay.

Ecan’s own recent evaluation of lakes and rivers in Canterbury shows water quality continues to deteriorate.

Immediate improvement is unlikely as the legacy of rural pollution is compounded by an explosion in dairy cow numbers in the region since commissioners were installed. There are now nearly  900,000 dairy cows in Canterbury.

The Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Bill allows for: Four members to be elected in 2016 in Christchurch where most rates are collected, one elected from North Canterbury for the districts of Kaikōura, Hurunui and Waimakariri, one elected from mid-Canterbury for the Selwyn and Ashburton districts, and one from South Canterbury representing the Timaru, Mackenzie, Waimate districts and the parts of Waitaki north of the Waitaki River.

Seven government commissioners will be re-installed

The mixed council will carry out a representation review in 2018 under Local Government Act provisions to determine the make-up and wards of the fully elected council for 2019

Mr Smith sacked elected councillors in 2010 in deference to rural interests and replaced them with his apparatchiks, led by chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazely supported by deputy and former Labour MP David Caygill, ex-judge Peter Skelton, dairy farmer, chancellor of Lincoln University and chair of Opuha Dam Tom Lambie, North Canterbury wine grower David Bedford, Ngai Tahu’s Donald Couch, and Rex Williams chairman of H W Richardson Group.

Dame Margaret, who lives in Hawke's Bay and attends Environment Canterbury for part of the week was paid $220,312 in the 2013/14 year, David Bedford $169,012, David Caygill $152,771, with other commissioners receiving slightly smaller amounts, taking the total to $1.04 million (the 2014/15 annual report with their latest remuneration is due out this month).

By contrast, elected councillors in 2009 received about $50,000 each.

The government has yet to announce what pay rates elected members will receive compared with their government counterparts.

A Treasury report raises some of the questions about the mixed governance being put in place.

“While based on the District Health Board model, the proposed governance model has an element of uncertainty as to its effectiveness as it has not been used previously in a local governance context.

“The appointment of councillors is seen by some as an unwarranted intrusion into Canterbury’s affairs by central government."

The Treasury report also says there would be increased variability in regional council arrangements as Canterbury would have a different structure to other regions.

c.hutch@clear.net.nz

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