At their latest meeting, Council heard from the public on river and harbour health, native bird restoration, and a proposed solar plant in North Canterbury. Key decisions included $2.8m for wilding conifer control, adoption of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy, and keeping critical committees running through the election transition.

Council met on Wednesday in their second to last meeting of the triennium. It was a full meeting with a healthy public forum to kick things off and then several decisions made including the acceptance of additional funding for wilding conifer management, and the adoption of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy. 

There was also discussion and debate about the future form and function of local and regional government in response to significant central government reform due later this year. 

Before proceedings began in earnest, Councillor Peter Scott acknowledged the passing of Terry Heiler, a longstanding advocate for water and the rural community.