Hawke's Bay Regional Councillors share mixed opinions when it comes to water bottling consents and asking for a moratorium.
The previous councils chair, Fenton Wilson, said it was illegal to call for a moratorium under the current rules of the Resource Management Act.
"The council do not have the luxury of picking and choosing the winners and losers of water bottling. I signed up to the council to make decisions and it is silly stuff trying to call for an moratorium."
Ngaruroro councillor, Peter Beaven, also said it was illegal to call for a moratorium but if it was not he would have wanted to.
"Our staff tell me there is no mechanism to review or put on hold once issued except for breaches of consent conditions. So my view is that any further consent applications need to become a publicly notified process so the public can express their concerns."