Editorial: Facts on water issue needed

Campaigner and Guardians of the Aquifer members marched on the home of a Hawke's Bay councillor.

Freedom of speech is sacrosanct.

It means we can hold governments, councils and decision makers accountable. People have every right to march through the streets voicing their opinions and protesting when they think those in power have got it wrong.

Good on the 50 or so people who braved the rain on Saturday to protest something that they are passionate about - the protection of the Heretaunga Plains aquifer.

Campaigner and Guardians of the Aquifer spokeswoman Pauline Doyle claims there is "evidence" the regional council is failing to safeguard the supply of water long term.

She hopes the protest will influence debate to make any Resource Management Act applications for mineral exploration or exploitation publicly notifiable.

The group marched to the home of regional councillor Christine Scott after her colleague, Tom Belford, suggested they take their concerns to her.

Mrs Scott greeted her surprise guests with her grand-niece clinging to her hip. She sympathised for their cause but the group were more interested in chanting rather than listening. They need to know the council was going to let the region's stocks run dry, she said.

She told Hawke's Bay Today she takes her job seriously. "When you're elected to office you're always in the office." She was willing to have a "reasonable" discussion but couldn't address their concerns because she was looking after little Elise.

Councillors need to be held accountable but at what point do you stop? There needs to be a full and frank discussion about how much local water is taken, bottled and sent offshore.

Should we be "giving away" our precious water? We need the facts presented clearly and to ensure protesting placards aren't left lying in the street.