Dear Editor,
The Malvern Hills Protection Society is disappointed with Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend's statement (12 March) "We spend too much time in Canterbury saying why we can't do things..." No mention is made of the environmental degradation if the region pursues the fast tracking of agribusiness development. Who is spending millions of dollars on monitoring effects and cleaning up waterways? No one. ECan has tried to introduce regulations and curb infractions of consent conditions but have been punished for their efforts. The accumulation of good science and essential monitoring data have been rewarded with the possibility of dismantling to make way for a 'pro-development' Water Authority.
Perhaps if the Chamber of Commerce had attended some of the 7 months of the CPW hearing and listened to the compelling evidence presented by MHPS and others, they would not be supporting these irrigation schemes. There are still pressing unanswered questions regarding future water quality in Christchurch and on the Plains and perhaps most relevant to ratepayers... who pays for the inevitable clean up?
Liz Weir
Rosalie Snoyink
Malvern Hills Protection Society