My unpublished reply to letter to the Editor (Central Plains Water, see original letter below)

The Editor

In response to Hugh Isdale’s letter “Central Plains Water” The Press July 11. On face value he is right in noting that nothing appears to be improving in relation to freshwater. The degradation of our rivers, lakes and aquifers continues to significantly outpace any much-needed changes in policy and practice, leaving future generations with, what looks increasingly like, a shameful legacy.

I can understand why Hugh has attributed this to Environment Canterbury, as the body vested with the task of developing and administering, among other things, the rules around extraction and discharge. Actions to appeal court decisions which place the wellbeing of the environment first and requesting Resource Management reform, provide little comfort and seem counter-productive to protecting the environment.

This perception of ECan being part of the problem and not the answer is reinforced by having to respond to the continued changing of government policy, a heavily skewed representation of dairy  and irrigator interests around the decision table, a perceived veil of secrecy, so frequently reported and commented on within this forum and the not insubstantial impact of almost a decade of unelected Commissioners hellbent on reforming the organisation to drive the economic development of Canterbury.

I can only hope that with the imminent change internally at ECan to provide greater public access to our decision making, will bring about both transparency and a greater understanding of the regional council role.

GB