Shadbolt appoints critical councillor to waste group

SOUTHLAND’S controversial recycling contract saga has a new chapter.

Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has appointed Cr Nobby Clark as one of the Invercargill City Council’s members of the Joint Waste Advisory Group, along with Cr Alex Crackett.

This appointment and several others will be ratified by the council next week.

Cr Clark has been described by Sir Tim as the ‘‘most astute council critic’’ — and a big part of his recent complaints against the council had been related to the Wastenet tender process.

Sir Tim believed Cr Clark would contribute to the debate because he ‘‘has an excellent understanding of Wastenet issues’’.

In June, Southland and Gore district councils voted for WasteNet’s recommended provider, Smart Environmental, but the Invercargill City Council, in a split vote, rejected the recommendation to support Southland disAbility Enterprises (SDE) — a company which employs 80 people with disabilities.

The region’s recycling contract remains unresolved at this stage.

In conversation with the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Cr Clark reaffirmed his position as a supporter of SDE, and said one of his priorities would be get this matter sorted.

‘‘My views are not a secret.

I’ve been elected to represent the ratepayers and that is what I will do. I’m not at council to make friends — of course, I will respect everyone, but I will advocate for the ratepayers.’’

Cr Clark said this would not mean always going the cheapest way — he believed

Invercargill’s ratepayer support for SDE to keep the contract was due to the situation’s social aspects.

Southland Mayor Gary Tong and Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said they would not comment about Cr Clark’s appointment on Wastenet committee.

Mr Tong said it was up to Sir Tim to decide, while Mr Hicks said he just hoped to sort the matter soon, as ‘‘it has been frustrating’’.