The council has today agreed to defer a decision on the potential purchase of Hurunui Water Project (HWP) shares, Chair Councillor Dick Davison has confirmed.

Councillors decided to put deliberations on hold due to the unforeseen absence of one councillor and because they wish to wait until the outcome of HWP’s nutrient discharge application within the Waipara River red zone catchment is known.

“We believe that in order for a fully informed decision to be made on the purchase of shares we need to ensure all seven councillors tasked with making a decision are present,” says Cr Davison.

“We also acknowledge that the hearing currently before Environment Canterbury has been suspended while discussions between HWP and the submitter, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu take place.”

The hearing was suspended last month and is expected to resume in August or September this year.

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