Environment Canterbury to continue offering services to Chatham Islands Council
Environment Canterbury and Chatham Islands Council have signed a new contract for services.
Because of its remote location and thanks to a few Acts, Chatham Islands Council acts as a unitary authority, having the responsibilities of both a local council, and a regional council.
Since 2004, Central Government has granted funding for Chatham Islands Council to get help in meeting its obligations as a regional council. Since then, these services have been provided by Environment Canterbury.
Environment Canterbury helps Chatham Islands Council with things like:
- Managing freshwater on the Chathams
- Biosecurity – including ensuring that shipments to the islands are pest free
- Civil Defence and responding to natural hazard emergencies
- Issuing resource management consents and monitoring compliance
- Navigational safety
- Supporting the Chathams Council with their new land and water plan (yes, along with all other regional councils, the Chathams needs a new plan in accordance with the Essential Freshwater directions from central Government)
- Communication and Engagement
- Preparation of Long Term Plans, Annual Plan, financial reporting and lots more.
There is a team from across Environment Canterbury, representing most parts of the business, that delivers services to the Chathams. It is a unique programme of work – applying our skills and expertise to a different and unique environment.
The team reports every six weeks to the CEO of the Chatham Islands Council, Owen Pickles, with a six-weekly report going to the Chatham Islands Council.