Respected even by opponents
DURING his time at the head of the Upper Clutha Environmental Society (UCES) Julian Haworth has made friends and adversaries, but also earned admiration from both.
In court Mr Harworth has often faced off with Queenstown environmental and resource management lawyer Graeme Todd.
When asked about Mr Haworth, Mr Todd said he was never sure how much of the community Mr Haworth represented when filing submissions and appearing on behalf of UCES.
‘But he is never afraid to give his views in an impassioned and forthright manner. At the same time, like most who regularly appear at council and environment court, Julian is a goodnatured individual who has developed a very thick hide over the years.’’
Queenstown Lakes District Council deputy Mayor Calum MacLeod said Mr Haworth could be ‘‘a pain’’.
‘‘But you need pains in this world. You need someone who is informed, who knows the system, who knows the RMA, and the Upper Clutha is a much better place for having him. Wanaka needs an environmental society, it needs a conscience. Not everything can be about the mighty dollar.’’
Developers, often the target of Mr Haworth, might be forgiven for having a different view, but Allan Dippie from Willowridge Developments, whose plans Mr Haworth and the UCES have at various times opposed, says Mr Haworth is at least consistent.
‘‘Julian has generally been pretty supportive of the projects Willowridge has been doing over the last 20 years or so. I think he was a bit of a fan of the 2020 process and the subsequent future growth plan of the town to the south of Wanaka away from the lake. I think it’s fair to say that if a project is within the proposed inner growth boundary of Wanaka, Julian doesn’t have an issue with it.’’
Fellow UCES committee member for 10 years John Wellington says without the society there would be a lot of development along the western arm and shoreline of Lake Wanaka.
‘‘Julian is not motivated by selfinterest. He is one of the most altruistic people I know. He has seen what can happen overseas and is worried that it can happen to an area like Wanaka when you have uncontrolled development.’’
As a commissioner and former Queenstown Lakes District Council deputy mayor, Lyal Cocks has heard the society’s evidence at many resource consent hearings and district plan hearings.
‘‘I haven’t always agreed with Julian or the society. However, you have to commend the UCES for getting involved in the resource management process and district plan hearings and for keeping an eye on the progress and development of Wanaka in line with what came out of the 2020 discussions and structure plan.’’
Mr Haworth’s brother, Nigel, is the president of New Zealand Labour Party said Mr Haworth had always been ‘‘highly focused’’ in all that he does.
‘‘Be it travelling or in his commitment to environmental issues. And he draws on a long family history of political and trade union activism in Lancashire, stretching back to the 19th century. ’’