Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Licence to Pollute “the last straw” says Council candidate

Our Council’s vision and decisions must respect the real fear that Queenstown Lakes residents have for the future of our environment, says candidate Niki Gladding.

“When Council applied for permission to pollute our lakes and rivers with raw human sewerage and industrial waste, it was the last straw,” says Niki. “Who in their right mind – parent, businessperson or tourist – would think that’s OK? How is it even an option when communities get their drinking water from these lakes?”

She says it was presented to residents as a move towards transparency and improving practices but is quick to point out: “You don’t spend $600,000 on a resource consent to discharge without limits if ‘doing better’ is your goal. You spend that money upgrading the network.”

She describes the application as “preparing for growth at all costs, even the degradation of our lakes and rivers” and says it should be withdrawn immediately.

With a science degree and planning background, Niki says “I’m standing for council, because now more than ever, we need a strong voice for the environment and for the community” She adds, “There is no need for councillors if they consistently defer to ‘expert’ opinion instead of representing the people who elected them.”

Niki has essential experience in environmental planning and community legal actions. She’s co-Chair and researcher for Aotearoa Water Action, working with communities to challenge consent decisions that threaten their water. Her research exposed NZTE’s active promotion of NZ’s water to international bottling giants; and in the last two years, organisations she founded have taken three water bottling companies and their local councils to court.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“If I see wrongdoing or poor decision-making, I try to fix it or expose it. There are a lot of people actively challenging our council right now. That should be encouraged - we need strong local democracy.”

On growth she says, “Council has acknowledged it needs to do more to protect water quality and it has declared a climate emergency. That’s great, but the decisions coming out of Chambers don’t match the rhetoric or align with our communities’ concerns. They’re still pushing this self-defeating ‘more bums on seats’ approach to tourism, still talking about the need to meet demand as though we have no option.”

“Right now, QLDC has the option to amend the Airport Corporation’s Statement of Intent, to limit airport expansion in line with communities’ social and environmental goals. But it’s clearly reluctant to do that. We need to know whose agenda is being prioritised.”

Niki believes that if we look after our environment and our people, we’ll always have economic opportunities. She says we’re lucky to have a district full of smart passionate, innovative people who are prepared to engage and do the work.

Her message to the council: “Let’s change the M.O. Be transparent, encourage debate and be genuinely open to input from the community you serve. People here aren’t averse to change, they’re just fighting for the right change.”

Niki hopes her science background, environmental focus and work with community groups can provide some much-needed balance to the business focus of council.


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.