Environment Canterbury to work constructively with government following report

The Chairman of Environment Canterbury, Alec Neill, has signalled that Environment Canterbury will work constructively with the government following the release of the review group report on Environment Canterbury.

The report was undertaken at the request of Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide and was released today (19 February).

The Ministers have stated that the report is for consideration only. If implemented the recommendations would have a significant and wide-ranging impact on the regional council and its activities and Chair Alec Neill acknowledged that there is a considerable amount of work required to better understand the implications for the organisation.

“It has been made clear to me by the Minister that there will be rigorous consideration of the options and significant debate about the recommendations before any final decisions are made,” said Mr Neill. “Some of the options under consideration will require new legislation before they can be implemented.”

Mr Neill said he was pleased that the report acknowledged and was complimentary about the organisation’s management team and staff, and the way that staff worked.

“The report is very positive in outlining excellence in the process and procedures we use, and quite rightly states that in many areas Environment Canterbury is a leader in what it does and how it delivers.

Mr Neill said that the government review was initiated as a result of historical concerns in relation to the management of Resource Management Act processes during the 2007/08 year. The report confirms that processes have been put in place that largely address those concerns.

“In the last year, we have significantly improved both process and performance, with 90% of consents now being processed on time. I am disappointed that the review team has chosen not to highlight the improvements in those areas and have largely ignored the fact that Environment Canterbury is acknowledged as a leader in many areas including clean air, passenger transport and regional transportation and urban planning

“In addition the work that Environment Canterbury has led on the development of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy is nationally significant,” said Mr Neill.

The report also indicates that relationship tensions that exist between the territorial authorities and Environment Canterbury are the fault of both parties and not solely the responsibility of Environment Canterbury.

“When I was elected Chair five months ago, I identified my key organisational priorities. One of those priorities was the Canterbury Water Management Strategy which has been six years in the making.

“I see the implementation of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy continuing in the same collaborative fashion that we have achieved as region in recent years. This work is too important for us to lose momentum and Environment Canterbury wishes to continue to play a leading role in implementation of the strategy,” concluded Mr Neill.

ENDS

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