No deferral of long term plan for Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury is unlikely to defer its long term plan, as allowed by the latest Central Government Order in Council. The Order would enable greater Christchurch councils affected by the earthquakes to defer long term plans by an extra year to July 2013.

Environment Canterbury Deputy Chair David Caygill said the regional council acknowledged the option, but the importance of implementing many aspects of its long term work programme, in particular water management and the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, meant that the council is keen to proceed with its long term plan review.

“Staff and commissioners are well advanced in the long term planning process and we have no need at this point to change the anticipated milestones and completion of the long term plan.

“We are getting on with the work programme of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and this will affect the council’s new long term plan priorities. We are keen to engage with the public on those priorities and not delay work unduly. That particular work is largely unaffected by the earthquakes.

“We appreciate the government offer and the need to co-ordinate closely with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) as the Canterbury Recovery Strategy is rolled out next year. However, barring significant unforeseen events, we believe that we will not need to defer our long term plan.”

Under the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2010, councils must prepare a long-term plan every three years. The next plan is due when current ones expire on June 30, 2012. If any of the greater Christchurch councils decide to defer their long term plans, they will need to adopt one before July 1, 2013, to cover a period of not less than nine years.

Background Government statement: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/canterbury-councils-can-defer-long-term-plans