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Qualified support for government decisions on ECan
Media Release
EDS provides qualified support for government decisions on Environment Canterbury
The government has today announced that it is sacking the Environment Canterbury Council and replacing it with Commissioners who will be given special powers under a bill to be introduced to parliament later today.
These decisions follow an investigation into Environment Canterbury's performance which found a number of problems with it.
"EDS is generally supportive of the need for robust action to address the problems with water management in Canterbury", said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.
"We note that the government intends the Commissioners to run the Council through to 2013 when there will be fresh elections.
"At present only one Commissioner has been announced and we believe that other Commissioners will need to be carefully selected to ensure vested interests in water use do not dominate.
"With respect to the special powers that are going to be given to the Commissioners, EDS will need to carefully analyse the implications.
"EDS would strongly prefer the powers to be temporary and to lead to good environmental outcomes.
"In this respect the proposals around water conservation orders will need careful evaluation," Gary Taylor concluded.
ENDS
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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