Local government futures and public transport strategy: August council meeting highlights
At their latest meeting, Council heard from the public on river and harbour health, native bird restoration, and a proposed solar plant in North Canterbury. Key decisions included $2.8m for wilding conifer control, adoption of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy, and keeping critical committees running through the election transition.
Council met on Wednesday in their second to last meeting of the triennium. It was a full meeting with a healthy public forum to kick things off and then several decisions made including the acceptance of additional funding for wilding conifer management, and the adoption of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy.
There was also discussion and debate about the future form and function of local and regional government in response to significant central government reform due later this year.
Before proceedings began in earnest, Councillor Peter Scott acknowledged the passing of Terry Heiler, a longstanding advocate for water and the rural community.
Public forum
Dr Peter Trolove - ecological degradation in the Rakaia River
Dr Trolove spoke to the Council about his observations of ecological degradation in the Rakaia River, which he had made over many years of fishing in the river.
He presented a series of images that showed this change over the last 15 years.
Peter Langlands - increased sediment levels in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour
Peter Langlands spoke to the Council regarding his concerns about increased sediment levels in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, particularly related to land reclamation.
He highlighted a desire to have better public access to technical and scientific reports from Regional Councils and unitary authorities.
Darfield High School - native bird population research
Xavier Rangi, Levi Nicolson and Cade Nicholas, Year 9 Darfield High School students, presented their research project to increase the native bird population in the wider Darfield area, in particular kereru and korimako. Their suggestion of a bird corridor and accompanying cycle path was well received by Councillors.
Council response process: In all cases, the Council agreed to provide a response to presenters as soon as practicable.
Petition against a proposed solar plant
Elizabeth Kelsey of the Waipara Valley Community Collective Inc. presented a petition of 700 signatures against a proposed solar plant in the Waipara Valley.
The 180-hectare solar plant would include more than 230,000 solar panels, 69,000 piles and 37 hectares of earthworks.
Chair Craig Pauling received the petition on behalf of the Council.
Missed the meeting? Download the agenda (PDF file, 3.31MB) or watch the recording of the meeting.
Future of local government
We have published a summary of Council's recent work (PDF file, 443.69KB) on the future form and function of local and regional government.
This work is in response to central government reform, due later this year, which will be the most significant change to resource management and local government legislation in over 20 years.
Chair Craig Pauling praised the contribution made by Councillors to inform this work and said he was proud of the Council’s leadership on behalf of the region.
“This is important and meaningful work that will impact our communities and our environment into the future.
“We have an opportunity to try to influence some of the change to come, and I am proud of us as the regional council for showing leadership for Canterbury on this.
“We have developed position statements (PDF file, 104.3KB) and considered different governance models that could work for us in a Canterbury context.”
Chair Pauling said the Council had shared its thinking with the community, other councils, our Treaty partner and other key stakeholders including the Government and media.
“We’ve been having these conversations openly through live-streamed workshops and council meetings and have invited key stakeholders, including Ministers, to join us for this important conversation.
Environment Canterbury Chair Craig Pauling
“It’s critical that the Government understands how these changes will directly impact on our communities and our environment,” Chair Pauling said.
Chair Pauling implored the new Council from October to continue this work as a priority.
“Ultimately this will be up to the new Council to see through, and I am proud that the work we have done has given them a strong foundation to continue these important conversations.
“Despite the challenges we face, we’re tackling them head on and looking into the future.”
Committees to continue
Council agreed to keep key committees running through the October election transition, including Civil Defence, Biosecurity Advisory Groups, and the Regulation Hearing Committee.
This ensures there is no disruption to the likes of emergency management, pest control, and resource consent hearings.
Additional funding for wilding conifer control
Council approved the receipt and operational delivery of an additional $2.8m for wilding conifer control in Waitaha for the 2025/26 financial year.
Around $2m comes from the Government’s International Visitor and Tourism Levy (IVL) to target high-priority areas in the Mackenzie Basin. The funding was announced on 31 July 2025 by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
The remainder is an additional work package from the Biosecurity NZ-led National Wilding Conifer Control Programme, which was confirmed on 23 May 2025 in a joint statement by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Minister Hoggard.
Council also supported a streamlined process for receiving any additional funding – both for the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and the National Wallaby Eradication Programme – to ensure contractor availability and so that delivery timeframes can be met.
Approval of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy
Council approved the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy, which allows us to play a more active and strategic role in the planning and oversight of key public transport infrastructure. This includes a range of potential commercial arrangements.
In 2023, changes were made to the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA), enabling Public Transport Authorities (PTAs) to take a greater level of responsibility and control over strategic public transport assets. This means they can deliver better long-term value for money outcomes.
The strategy also identifies the best approach for control and security of our public transport network, while minimising long-term costs.
Adoption of the Strategy follows engagement with key stakeholders, including public transport operators in the region, the Bus & Coach Association of New Zealand, Christchurch City Council, Waimakariri, Selwyn and Timaru District Councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Council commended staff on an important and significant paper and agreed to adopt the strategy.
It was also outlined that this decision doesn’t constitute approval of specific investments (or actions) by us required to deliver the strategy. These will be determined through Council’s normal business planning and investment approval processes.
Download the separately circulated attachments for the Council meeting agenda, 27 August 2025 (PDF file, 8.73MB)