Power to the people
The Timaru District Council has overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to sell its shares in Alpine Energy.
A vote was taken at the end of a day of public submissions yesterday, with the council voting unanimously to reject a proposal to sell its 47.5 per cent holding in the lines company which is held by Timaru District Holdings Ltd, the council’s holding company.
Speaking to Stuff after the vote, mayor Damon Odey said the submissions had ‘‘really cemented that the community has spoken and the majority at large have said no to the proposal as tabled by the TDHL’’.
Odey added that his role as mayor ‘‘was to look for opportunities that maybe out there that can future-proof us’’.
‘‘This was one that we thought had financial merit to change the financial position of our community . . .’’
Odey had initially tabled the idea to sell off the shares and conceded it was not what the community wanted.
‘‘I’m not disappointed,’’ he said.
Councillor comments after listening to the submissions and before the issue went to a vote:
Cr Dave Jack: ‘‘It’s certainly been an eye-opener. I think it’s a dead duck in the water. I can’t support the sale of the shares at all after hearing the submitters. Very clearly, our community have spoken and have clearly indicated that they are not in favour of it. There were some suggestions about the structural process of TDHL that could provide some useful ideas into the future.’’
Cr Peter Burt: ‘‘It’s a shame that communication was not as free flowing as it could have been. Right from the beginning, the only unanimous decision was to put it out for public consultation. It is a big issue. We rallied the community behind something they feel so strongly about. Democracy is alive and well. I am definitely against the sale.’’
Cr Richard Lyon: ‘‘Any future discussion about the sale of AEL should be taken right off the table. I think this is the day we should close the door on future discussions and just carry on as we are.’’
Cr Steve Wills: ‘‘It’s been an interesting process, this has been a hotly debated subject. Very clearly, our community have spoken and have clearly indicated that they are not in favour of it.’’
Cr Paddy O’Reilly: ‘‘I would like to support our mayor. We’ve had an innovative guy who put something out there and wanted to try new things. A lot of us have been awake in early mornings thinking about this. Some of our ratepayers understand it, others don’t. I won’t support the sale because for me it’s been a 50-50 call.’’
Cr Nigel Bowen: ‘‘We had to get the ratepayer on board. I think possibly we’ve fallen short and possibly taken the ratepayer into a journey into the great unknown. I think the questions of governance raised are really important. There’s a real opportunity to look at the governance of TDHL. I’m against the sale.’’
Cr Kerry Stevens: ‘‘I am going to support local democracy, as I have done since the day I was elected and will do until the day I resign or am no longer here. The people have had their say, and they have been listened to. The things that I have heard is that people are happy with a low-risk, low-return investment. We need to retain our shares in Alpine Energy. We’ve had a lot of submissions, many of them were well researched, and well argued and presented.’’
Cr Sally Parker: ‘‘I would like to think you would have had faith in the consultation process. I will not be supporting the sale of Alpine shares.’’
Cr Andrea Leslie: ‘‘It’s the toughest decision we have had to make. The themes are that Alpine Energy is a strategic asset. I understand that so much better after the last few days. We are proud of our community. It’s been a real learning process.’’
Mayor Damon Odey: It’s been a pretty thorough process. We asked the question, we asked for feedback and we got it. I am elected by the people. I’m definitely not elected to be afraid to say what I feel. In this case, my view wasn’t the correct one for the community. I really welcome your integrity, your respect and your time. I really respect the elected members who have been brave enough to put this to a vote. What changes our mind is the people who have come and engaged in the process. It’s been an emotive process, but I thank everyone who has done a great job.’’
Cr Richard Lyon: ‘‘I thank you for this process, I do hope the lessons are learnt that consultation is consultation. Without brave leadership we all stagnate. In future the community should play the ball, and not the man.’’