October 28, 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Environment Canterbury Chairman Alec Neill has welcomed the review announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide this afternoon. He says the Council will work co-operatively and do everything it can to make sure the review team gets the information it requires as quickly and as easily as possible.

“Since I was elected in late September I have made it very clear that the council will work constructively with both central government and local councils. We worked closely with the Ministers as to the style of review and to agree on the terms of reference, and they have thanked us for our help in establishing the review.

“The Canterbury Regional Council must work on behalf of the people of Canterbury regarding the management of the region’s natural and physical resources. It’s a role we take a great deal of pride in and we look forward to being open and frank with the review team about our governance and management policies and processes.”

Mr Neill says the Council is well aware of the challenges it faces regarding effective resource management for the region, and has made significant changes in recent times to improve its performance. This information will be shared with the review team.

“We see this as a timely opportunity to have what we do reviewed by an independent party. This review is intended to be solutions-focussed, and will be valuable to both the Ministers and to Environment Canterbury. The review will make recommendations and we will act on any recommendations accordingly.”

ENDS

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