Central government guiding or bullying ORC?
THE ODT article (2.8.22) described a letter from David Parker to the ORC. This letter epitomises the very essence of bullying, including providing information of what was being demanded of us, followed by a partially veiled threat to sack us if we do not comply. The law clearly says that we cannot set a minimum flow for the Manuherekia without going through a process required of proposed plan changes that we have not gone through, and will not go through until the Land and Water Plan is notified, hopefully at the end of 2023. The minister has appropriate ways of communicating with local authorities. He can formulate various rules, both achievable and not achievable, which our staff do their very best to comply with. And he can go fire us if, and only if, we are not doing our job. He should not bully us or our staff.
That some councillors are prepared to comply with the bullying is no credit to the minister. As regards the letter from Prof Skelton accompanying the minister’s hissy fit, our current staff are not of the view expressed in his letter. In fact they were upset that Prof Skelton had got the wrong end of the stick. Our current staff are doing their best to provide advice to us supporting producing the best planning documents that are possible. They are doing this as quickly as possible while trying to produce the high standard our community has a right to expect. Minister Parker would do well to concentrate on getting the rules he makes for us to administer fit for purpose rather than trying to push us into a rushed and poorly executed set of planning documents which must by
Waipori powering ahead
Substantial headway is being made in the excavation on the hillside at Waipori to enable the fourth pipe to be laid into the power house. . It will be necessary to add to the length of the power house to enable the new pipe line to be brought in to operate the new generators. The power from Waipori will be increased to 3000 kilowatts, and the total power will then be 9000 kilowatts. It is hoped to have the new plant working by this time next year.
Trucks damage Southland roads
Damage to roads by motor lorries was considered at the Southland County Council meeting on Friday, when it was suggested that the registration fee be increased. Cr Robertson said a raising of the fee would not get at the root of the matter, which was that railway rates were such that the lorry could compete with profit. — ODT, 3.8.1922 their very nature last longer than either the current ORC councillors or the tenure of the minister.”
Hilary Calvert Dunedin, ORC councillor
Environment Minister David Parker replies:
Central government has tried to help the ORC. The wise guidance provided by retired judge Professor Skelton has assisted and has been appreciated by many councillors, though obviously not Hilary Calvert.
It is not the fault of central government that more than 30 years after the RMA passed there is no minimum flow for some Otago rivers and the transition away from old mining privileges to RMA consents has not been completed.