Kaipara Mayor Neil says he simply “changed his mind” after he stated he would extend the submissions period for the new Proposed District Plan, and then said the opposite, just four days later at a council meeting.

Mr Tiller said he would recommend the submissions extension after widespread criticism of the plan from the faming and development sectors.

That opposition came to a head with a call from Northland Regional Council vice-chairman, Ian Walker, who is also president of Farmers of New Zealand, for a commissioner to run the council.

“We wish to remove the mayor and the majority of the council. They have appalling leadership and poor governance,” he said.

He noted the regional council held a workshop with Kaipara before Christmas, asking it to withdraw its Proposed District Plan, but were ignored.

Mr Tiller said if the Kaipara District Council had problems over finances and poor governance, “it would have showed up well before now. Is this just angst over the Proposed District Plan?”

“This plan has been six years in the making,” Mr Tiller said.

“I agree that I made a statement saying I would recommend an extension to the submissions period but then I spoke again to a few people and they were comfortable with the time frame.

“Those that grizzled about it would still do so anyway. So I changed my mind and endorsed the status quo.

“We are very happy with the submissions we have received. If we had extended the submission period it would probably have made little difference.”

Mr Tiller also rejected Farmers of New Zealand’s objections to the Annual Plan.

“Kaipara District Council has received unparalleled and exceptional support for its innovative proposed district plan.

“Both Federated Farmers and Fonterra are supportive with Fonterra commending council and staff for their
efforts in producing the plan.

“Both Federated Farmers and Fonterra made detailed submissions which have proven constructive in their suggestions and provided strong support for many elements of the proposed plan.

“Fonterra’s submission states ‘the Proposed District Plan is well laid out and easy to follow, interpret and understand’.”

However, Federated Farmers Northland President, Denis Anderson, was less effusive and said, “The Kaipara District Council’s attempt to balance economic, social, cultural and environmental considerations in its proposed district plan is supported by Federated Farmers.

“Meanwhile, any concerns that we still have with the plan are being taken into account in the council’s submission process.”

Fonterra’s North Island Environment manager, Adrian Payne, said Fonterra was, “generally supportive of the plan, although our submissons raise a few issues.”

Mr Tiller said a move by the Environmental Defence Society to seek a ruling on the plan in the Environment Court was all, “part of the process. We are still awaiting advice, both from the EDS and our own lawyers.”