Water quality and the Christchurch mayoralty

Christchurch water quality remains the deciding issue in the October local body elections, a mayoral candidate contends. Save Our Water spokesman Rik Tindall has entered the electoral contest, that recent polls show to be led overwhelmingly by MP Jim Anderton over incumbent Mayor Bob Parker

“In 2007, public awareness of water quality issues did much to shape the local election campaign, and the resulting regional council, through Save Our Water and other representation. But the risk to pure water supplies has since been made even greater, throughout Canterbury,” Tindall explains.

“Amongst the many quality of life concerns for which families choose Christchurch and Canterbury, as a healthy place of residence for raising their children, the untreated and abundant groundwater has been preeminent. The pure taste of our water is second to none, along with accessible and clean natural surrounds to enjoy in recreation,” Tindall says. ”Forward-looking policies to protect Christchurch’s water and environmental quality are desperately needed, but Bob and Jim do not offer them - quite the opposite, in fact.”

Tindall cites Parker’s lead in the demolition of public control of the Canterbury environmental regulator, ECan this year, and Anderton’s long-term advocacy of rural intensification of agriculture and fluoridation of all urban water supplies as primary reasons why Parker and Anderton are unelectable in 2010.

“The courage that Christchurch residents demonstrated in supporting Save Our Water in 2007 needs increase this year,” Tindall says.

“Christchurch’s natural water quality is not for sale. As your city mayor, I will ensure that Christchurch’s pure water supply is properly valued and protected, into the future and under whatever local government framework is decided for us by Parliament,” Tindall promises.

A conservation-oriented team, with clear community values and for sustainable economic development, is gathering to contest representative seats again this year, under a bright new banner: Our Water Our City. Ilam community activist, Juliana Venning has joined the Save Our Water group, and will run for Riccarton-Wigram Community Board.

More Our Water Our City candidates are being sought, and more campaign information can be found at http://ourwaterourcity.org

The Our Water Our City campaign launch date is yet to be announced.

ENDS

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