Councillor investigated
DUNEDIN: An Otago regional councillor is being investigated by the council for compliance breaches relating to farming.
This week RNZ learned Otago Regional Council was investigating one of its own councillors over regulatory issues.
After RNZ made initial inquiries, Waikouaiti sheep and beef farmer, and firstterm regional councillor, Andrew Noone came forward to say he was at the centre of the investigation.
He told RNZ he did not want a cloud of suspicion hanging over other farmers sitting on the council.
‘‘It’s me who has a com pliance issue associated with farming activity,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s currently under investigation and I can’t say anything further until that investigation is concluded.’’
He would not comment on the specifics of the breach while the investigation was ongoing.
The Otago Daily Times also contacted Mr Noone last night, but — other than confirming the issue dated back to midwinter — he would only reiterate his earlier comments to RNZ.
The Otago Regional Council would also not comment on specifics.
‘‘We are investigating an incident, but as with any investigation it is inappropriate to comment at this stage,’’ council chief executive Sarah Gardner said in a statement yesterday morning.
Mr Noone sat on the Dunedin City Council for almost two decades before standing for the regional council at the last election.
Before taking a seat on the city council, he sat on the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board for six years. — RNZ