Thursday 10 October 2013

Suspension of democracy in Canterbury

In 2010 the right-wing Key government sacked the democratically-elected Canterbury regional council and replaced them by commissioners chosen by the government – because the councillors weren't coming up quick enough with water permits for the dairy explosion.

Democracy for Canterbury has been postponed until 2016, while the commissioners are coming up with everything the government wants – by further destroying the Canterbury environment.

Canterbury regional council structure could lead to problems: lobby group

Canterbury environmental groups say the lack of a public vote on the make-up of the regional council could lead to health and environmental problems in the future.



10 October, 2013

Canterbury Regional Council was sacked in May 2010, and replaced by Government appointed commissioners who will remain in place until 2016.

Malvern Hills Protection Society spokesperson Rosalie Snoyinik says the appointed commissioners are approving new irrigation schemes that increase the numbers of dairy cows on the Canterbury Plains.

"If you get nitrate contamination of, especially groundwater, there is no way that you can clean that up.

"And so once we reach that point of no return, there's nothing we can do about it, we'll just have to live with the pollution and find alternative drinking water and that's going to be a very costly exercise."

Water Rights Trust member Murray Rodgers says the longer the commissioners are in place, the more irrigation schemes will be approved, making it increasingly difficult to improve the situation.



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