The two incumbent Environment Canterbury councillors from Mid Canterbury are seeking re-election, both believing changes are needed.

Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell have both declared they will seek a third term on the regional council in the Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi constituency.

Mackenzie said it has been a frustrating second term around the council table, and he had been canvassing potential new candidates to step forward before deciding he would seek a third term.

“I’m going again, and we’ll see what happens.”

The change in government during the council term had produced “a clear change in policy direction" that Mackenzie felt councillors had been slow to accept and adapt to.

He said there can be a balance between “environmental stewardship and allowing enterprise to flourish,” but there are too many obstacles being placed in the way of the consent process.

Mackenzie also feels there is a lack of recognition from the regional council for some of the work in the rural sector, especially in central Canterbury, to improve the environment.

Mackenzie is hoping for “a better balance around the table to get some better decision making”.

“We need some significant change in the next 18 months at the council to reflect the inadequacies.”

Sunckell also said that a simplification of the rules is needed.

“We are very good at stopping things, but not so good at empowering and enabling our communities to make positive change, to do the right thing for the community and environment.”

He said he enjoys the challenge of representing the Ashburton and Selwyn districts.

“Two distinctly different environments, one still the rural economic powerhouse and service town, Ashburton, and the other, Selwyn, still with a strong rural base but now very urban, increasingly industrial, a research and education hub”

“But for all the differences, our collective issues are the same, water that we can drink, swim in and be safe from - think flooding.”

Transport, both freight and public, is an issue for both districts he said.

Meanwhile, former ECan chairperson Peter Scott is also seeking re-election in South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi, saying past issues should not be held against him.

Scott stepped down as chairperson in October, remaining on the council, after it was revealed he had exceeded the speed limit in a council-provided car 678 times between January and September.

The speeding had followed Scott being given a formal warning after an investigation into claims he made during a radio interview about “operating illegally” on a farm he then owned in the South Canterbury.

"Some voters may have concerns regarding past personal issues, and I have publicly apologised for my actions”.

“What I can assure voters is that these personal challenges have never, and will never, detract from my commitment to represent South Canterbury to the best of my ability.”

By Jonathan Leask