ECan review teams announced

Ministers have released details of the review teams who will look into Environment Canterbury's poor performance.

Last month, Environment Minister Nick Smith said ECan would be investigated because of slow resource consent processing, poor management framework for natural resources and relationship problems with other local authorities.

As well as the review of its resource consent process under the Resource Management Act (RMA), Local Government Minister Rodney Hide announced an assessment of ECan's governance and policy functions under the Local Government Act.

Today, Dr Smith said former Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt Creech would lead the RMA review.

Doug Martin, director of MartinJenkins and Associates, and independent RMA consultant Greg Hill will work with him.

Civil engineer Doug Lowe, consultant Julie Clausen and economist Alison Dalziel will conduct the review of ECan under the Local Government Act.

Both reviews start today and are expected to be completed by December 4.

The ministers expect to receive a report by January.

- NZPA