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Otago Daily Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Minister not impressed with council
Resources Minister Shane Jones has challenged the West Coast Regional Council to explain why it exists if it cannot approve mining consents in a reasonable timeframe. He also repeated his warning to Local Democracy Reporting that the country's regional councils are on borrowed time under the coalition government. West Coast goldminers have appealed to the minister over long delays as consent applications are processed by environmental consultants in the North Island. Some miners — including a regional councillor — have waited for more than a year for the go-ahead, and the council recently shut down a gold mine that had been bulk-sampling and waiting 17 months for consent to mine. Prominent mining adviser Glenys Perkins this week told the minister that her family has put off expanding the gold mine on their farm and hiring two more workers because a consultant wants a drain monitored for a year before granting consent. Mr Jones told LDR he was not impressed with the council's performance. "If the council cannot perform this core role, of issuing resource consents in a timely fashion, what is its purpose? "What other role does it have down there?" It was distressing to hear of obstacles being placed in the way of miners when the government was trying to grow exports and the West Coast was "riddled" with all sorts of mining opportunities. "I feel I've acted with a great deal of credibility and supported the Coast, so why can't local government on the West Coast support me? "Why are local bureaucrats importing people from other parts of New Zealand to protract, delay and undermine the agenda of our government?" That agenda was to promote growth in the regions, boost economic resilience, generate jobs and dig the country out of the post-Covid fiscal hole, Mr Jones said. Regional council chief executive Darryl Lew defended the council's record, saying consents staff have been under pressure with high numbers of consent applications including complex ones leading to hearings that were taking up large amounts of staff time. External consultants have been hired to ease the workload, but he now believed it was time to hire more staff, he said. Shane Jones said he did not know the fine details of the council's hiring practices, but he judged politicians on their results and outcomes. "And the politicians and bureaucrats of the West Coast Regional Council, they owe a high level of duty to that element of the community that's ready to risk their money and take their equity into these enterprises." Processing resource consents and enabling the economy were core business for regional councils, Mr Jones said. "But regional councils in my view have reached a very low ebb." Regional councils had been invented to administer the Resource Management Act, and with the abolition of that Act, he believed they did not have a future, Mr Jones said. "Which is why after the next election there will be local-government rationalisation and the very strong stance we're taking is that there is no longer a purpose for regional councils and I am happy that the prime minister sees that such a development should be a priority, if not for this government then the next." With the RMA split into two new Acts, people working for regional councils would no doubt end up playing some kind of role in a reformed level of regional governance, the minister said. There were already examples of regional and district councils being fused together (in unitary authorities) and after the election there would be a host of options. Councils would need critical mass and a capital base to cope with changing weather, and higher expectations from the community about how to adapt to climatic challenges, the minister said. "I accept a lot of council leaders may be reluctant to openly identify options that might spell their demise, but I just want them to know after next election, we'll do that on their behalf." — Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporter — LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
East Ayrshire councillors reject ‘very British' daily flag raising
Conservative councillor Neill Watts had proposed flying the three flags every day at the London Road HQ in Kilmarnock, describing it as 'a very British way of expressing joy and pride' and 'a symbol of unity.' His motion suggested that these flags be flown daily except when a different flag is more appropriate for special occasions. However, the proposal was met with strong opposition, particularly from Labour group leader councillor Barry Douglas, who questioned both the practicality and its similarity to moves at Reform UK run councils in England. READ MORE: Neil Oliver quietly dropped from Glasgow tour buses after years of backlash He challenged the resource implications, asking whether flags would be installed at all council buildings, how much that would cost, and who would be tasked with raising and lowering the flags. 'There's a cost involved in all of that,' Douglas said. 'Raising and lowering flags takes staff. Are council officers to stop their duties to do this every day?' He also took issue with Watts' description of the Conservatives as 'Scotland's strongest unionist party,' suggesting the recent general election results told a different story. 'Are we really talking about community cohesion,' he asked, 'or making a political point around the flag?' Labour councillor Peter Mabon also opposed the move, stating that while flags were appropriate on special days, raising them daily would eat into officer time. He said: 'We're talking about 200-plus hours every year in all weathers to raise and lower flags. Our officers have enough to do.' Barry Douglas (Image: LDR) SNP council leader Douglas Reid also opposed the motion, expressing support for the current approach. 'We've got a policy that's lasted before my time as leader. Raising flags for special occasions, like Ukraine or Rainbow Flag (for Pride), makes it meaningful. Changing that sends the wrong message.' Conservative councillor John McFadzean argued the proposal was modest in scale. 'For all the time it would take to hook on one flag and wind it up, there's not a huge implication. Civic pride helps lift morale.' Douglas responded by drawing parallels with Reform UK-run councils in England, where flag-related motions have gained traction. He acknowledged Watts' claim that he had been approached by Reform but had declined. 'Maybe he wants to tell the chamber something today. It is a big issue for Reform, but why is it such a big issue for him?' Chief governance officer David Mitchell then intervened to clarify that there is no East Ayrshire Council flag. 'There has never been a council flag and we certainly don't have one at the moment.' Watts denied any political motive, explaining his motion was based on personal observation. 'I would be more than happy just to have a flag – it doesn't matter whether it's the Saltire, it doesn't matter whether it's the flag of the United Kingdom, 'I just think that we should have at least a flag at this building as a mark of respect to our communities.' He also reiterated his Conservative affiliation and rejected any association with Reform. 'I certainly am a Conservative and I am nowhere near Reform in that respect.' In the end, councillors voted overwhelmingly to maintain the current flag policy, with 24 voting in favour of an amendment to retain existing arrangements and just four supporting the motion.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Proposed Canterbury landfill on hold
A drone image showing protestors on the Waimakariri District Council lawn in Rangiora last year. Photo: LDR / Supplied by Mike McCaleb An application for a proposed managed fill landfill in Canterbury is on hold. Environment Canterbury has confirmed an application for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock has been suspended until August 15 at the request of the applicant, Protranz International Ltd. Christchurch-based Protranz applied to ECan and the Waimakariri District Council for the consents last year. It is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Road, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos. The company bought the quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill. Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said the company commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design to support the resource consent applications. But the proposal has faced strong opposition, with 510 of the 573 submissions opposed to the managed fill landfill, including the Rangiora Ashley Community Board. More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High Street in September last year to express their opposition. Local residents have expressed concern about potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley / Rakahuri River. ECan said a revised timetable and hearing date will be issued after the suspension ceases. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Ashburton's Market Day To Move After Retailer Complaints
Article – Jonathan Leask – Local Democracy Reporter It means a popular annual market day in September has to move – but only just down road. Market days are no longer welcome on a section of Ashburton's main street during business hours. It means a popular annual market day in September has to move – but only just down road. Retailers had argued the town's main street was no place for a market as the road closures hurt local shops. The Ashburton District Council voted last week to ban events on the block of East Street, south of Havelock Street, if they required road closures. The organiser of Ashburton's annual market day sees the decision as positive. Spealing to LDR this week, Carol Johns said she was already looking to move the market day one block north on East Street, in front of Baring Square East. 'I was just waiting for the council to make a decision. 'I'm not worried, I'll move and the market day will still go ahead. 'Nothing changes, we just move down the road a wee bit. 'There are more positives than negatives.' The move means Johns will have to pay for a new traffic management plan, but only has to contact three businesses about a road closure, rather than 96. Baring Square East had a $2.45 million upgrade in 2023 to coincide with the construction of the $62.3m Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton's library and civic centre. That investment led to the majority of councillors voting to close the southern end of East Street off to market events during business hours, at a council meeting on 18 June. The annual market day attracts thousands of people to Ashburton. It is held on South Canterbury Anniversary Day, on the fourth Monday of September, which is not an Ashburton District public holiday. When discussing the options last week, councillor Tony Todd said historically the local businesses were heavily involved in the market day, previously known as Boulevard Day, but times have changed. 'The event was fully supported by local retailers but over time that support has declined, and other operators have been involved,' Todd said. 'The day still attracts a large number of people to the CBD that mainly walk the street and the vendor stalls have become a barrier to get into retailers stores. 'It's time for a change. 'The market day is still important to the town so we should support it, but I think a new location will breathe new life back into it.' Another issue is Burnett and Tancred streets becoming one way, which means they also close when East Street is closed, Todd said. Councillor Phill Hooper felt no events should occur south of Havelock Street as the council had invested in making Baring Square an event space. 'We spent the moolah out here, let's have it out here,' Hooper said. The councillors voted 9-1 for the section of East Street south of Havelock Street to be off limits to events 'involving trade and associated equipment' between 8am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Hooper was the lone opposing vote, supporting the alternative option of no events south of Havelock Street. Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a short closure for an event with no stationary caravans, stalls, tents or other structures could still be permitted.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Ashburton's Market Day To Move After Retailer Complaints
Market days are no longer welcome on a section of Ashburton's main street during business hours. It means a popular annual market day in September has to move - but only just down road. Retailers had argued the town's main street was no place for a market as the road closures hurt local shops. The Ashburton District Council voted last week to ban events on the block of East Street, south of Havelock Street, if they required road closures. The organiser of Ashburton's annual market day sees the decision as positive. Spealing to LDR this week, Carol Johns said she was already looking to move the market day one block north on East Street, in front of Baring Square East. "I was just waiting for the council to make a decision. "I'm not worried, I'll move and the market day will still go ahead. "Nothing changes, we just move down the road a wee bit. "There are more positives than negatives." The move means Johns will have to pay for a new traffic management plan, but only has to contact three businesses about a road closure, rather than 96. Baring Square East had a $2.45 million upgrade in 2023 to coincide with the construction of the $62.3m Te Whare Whakatere, Ashburton's library and civic centre. That investment led to the majority of councillors voting to close the southern end of East Street off to market events during business hours, at a council meeting on 18 June. The annual market day attracts thousands of people to Ashburton. It is held on South Canterbury Anniversary Day, on the fourth Monday of September, which is not an Ashburton District public holiday. When discussing the options last week, councillor Tony Todd said historically the local businesses were heavily involved in the market day, previously known as Boulevard Day, but times have changed. "The event was fully supported by local retailers but over time that support has declined, and other operators have been involved," Todd said. "The day still attracts a large number of people to the CBD that mainly walk the street and the vendor stalls have become a barrier to get into retailers stores. "It's time for a change. "The market day is still important to the town so we should support it, but I think a new location will breathe new life back into it." Another issue is Burnett and Tancred streets becoming one way, which means they also close when East Street is closed, Todd said. Councillor Phill Hooper felt no events should occur south of Havelock Street as the council had invested in making Baring Square an event space. "We spent the moolah out here, let's have it out here," Hooper said. The councillors voted 9-1 for the section of East Street south of Havelock Street to be off limits to events 'involving trade and associated equipment' between 8am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday. Hooper was the lone opposing vote, supporting the alternative option of no events south of Havelock Street. Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said a short closure for an event with no stationary caravans, stalls, tents or other structures could still be permitted.
