Former ECan boss dies

Former Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairman David Bedford has died, just months after he stepped down from his role for health reasons.

Bedford, who had been suffering from prostate cancer, died on Sunday night with his family at his side, current chairman Steve Lowndes said.

He had been one of seven commissioners appointed by the Government in 2009 to replace the democratically elected council. He was re-appointed in late 2016 and councillors elected him chairman. He retired in September 2017.

Lowndes said his predecessor would be remembered for his instrumental role in improving air quality in the region. ‘‘All the councillors would agree with me in saying that we are very saddened by his death.

‘‘He was a very nice man, very capable. A level-headed and evenhanded man who did a lot for ECan.’’

Bedford played a pivotal role in advancing significant air quality improvements, assisting with regional transport issues and in implementing tighter water quality and allocation plans across the region. He was also active and effective in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Hurunui and Kaiko¯ ura zone committees.

Before his appointment to ECan, Bedford was chairman of Enterprise North Canterbury. He was previously chief operating officer for Telecom in Australia.

Bedford’s family owns a vineyard in Waipara and Lowndes said he was survived by his wife Sandra and son Sam.