Councillors overturn committee fracking decision
An appropriate celebration of Wanganui's Olympics athletes, the economic case for soft water, and the dangers of fracking were just some of the items discussed at Monday's full meeting of the Wanganui District Council.
Councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan and Councillor Michael Laws had a disagreement on the appropriate way of honouring Wanganui's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Mr Laws wanted to include all athletes past and present, while Ms Baker-Hogan preferred to keep it for the current crop.
Eventually, a compromise decision was reached. A function will be held for all Wanganui's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with an emphasis on the 2012 athletes.
Mr Laws demanded to know why the update on soft water, which is provided to every infrastructure and property committee meeting, did not contain information on the economic benefits of having soft water.
Councillors agreed this information would be provided in the next report to the infrastructure and property committee meeting.
Councillors overturned the decision made at the community and environment committee meeting about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
At that meeting, the decision before councillors was whether to ask Horizons Regional Council and Taranaki Regional Council to inform the council if they received any fracking applications in their regions.
However, the vote was extremely close at that meeting and Ms Baker-Hogan suggested councillors might want to look at it again.
She said she supported the motion because it was "just about being responsible".
However, Mr Laws said the decision could set "a dangerous precedent".
"We're asking other councils to advise us about something that isn't happening in our district," he said.
Councillors voted again and this time the vote was lost.
Councillors present were Sue Westwood, Jack Bullock, Randhir Dahya, Allan Anderson, Rangi Wills, Michael Laws, Hamish McDouall, Rob Vinsen, Philippa Baker-Hogan and Ray Stevens, while Councillors Nicki Higgie and Clive Solomon sent their apologies.
Raphael Solomon represented the Youth Committee and Alan Taylor represented the Rural Community Board.
