A Waimate District Council candidate has urged community members to voice their opinion through the submission process for a proposed controversial waste-to-energy plant in the area.
The proposed $350 million factory, to be built in Glenavy, was a hot topic at the Waimate Lions Club meeting the candidates Thursday night, along with the discussion surrounding Three Waters.
More than 300 people attended the evening, with candidates for City Council and Mayor, and candidates for Canterbury City Council.
The meeting came on the same day South Island Resource Recovery Limited (SIRRL) has announced that it has submitted the resource clearance for the proposed plantwith all candidates questioned about the plant.
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Waimate candidate Sarah Huggins urged the community to review the sources’ consent materials and have their say during the submission process.
Others wanted to peruse the materials for permission from the sources.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
More than 300 people attended a meet the candidate event at the Waimate Event Center on Thursday night.
As for Three Waters, Waimate candidate Fabia Fox was the only candidate to support a shift to the model.
Some candidates suggested that more information was needed.
Incumbent Mayor Craig Rowley and Deputy Mayor Sharyn Cain said they do not support current reforms.
Early in the evening, candidates were given the chance to introduce themselves to Julie Dee, standing in front of the Waimate ward, under the slogan “Julie Dee is a vote for me.”
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Three Waters and the proposed waste-to-power plant were the two main topics faced by candidates for the Waimate District Council.
Waimate Ward candidate Peter Paterson said that if elected, he would support the council to “achieve the best outcome for the community and the council.”
Incumbent Waimate councilor Fabia Fox said it was “encouraging” to see the number of people who had come to the meeting and urged everyone to attend more meetings and hold the council accountable.
Huggins said she wanted to bring a “new perspective” to the council, while candidate Tom Williams described Waimate as a multi-ethnic city.
Waimate candidate John Begg spoke about his background in the local community, school boards and St John. He also advocated the creation of a community newspaper.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
The event was held at the city’s events center and run by the Waimate Lions Club.
Meanwhile, Waimate candidate Peter Collins advocated “local solutions to local problems” and Deputy Mayor and Waimate Councilor Sharyn Cain spoke of her work in the role.
Lower Waihao candidate Lisa Small said she was a strong supporter of safer roads in the district and that she wants to improve certain aspects of the city’s civil defense system.
Another candidate from Lower Waihao, Bruce Murphy
said that while he has sold the land to SIRRL, he wants to hear public feedback during the consent process.
While Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley said “democracy is alive and well in the Waimate District”.
He said he still has the “drive, desire and passion” to continue serving as mayor of the district.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Members in the crowd listen to the discussion on the ‘meet the candidates’ evening.
Rick Stevens, mayor and councilor for the Waimate district, spoke of his time on Christchurch City Council, his business background and his “striving to create a proactive, not a reactive council”.
Jonathan Bird, who is in the Waimate ward, was unable to attend the meeting.