The application was to renew its expired spraying consents to discharge agrichemicals to air, land and water for the purpose of exotic weed control. File photo Photo: 123rf
Canterbury Regional Council has applied to renew its own consents to spray chemicals for weed control.
The council temporarily suspended spraying earlier this year to improve its practices following a complaint.
The application was to renew its expired spraying consents to discharge agrichemicals to air, land and water for the purpose of exotic weed control.
It included a request for the consents to last 20 years.
But the council was both the applicant and consent authority.
In a statement, it said: "These are two very distinct roles. As an applicant, we are held to the same standards as any other organisation".
"As the consenting authority, we must ensure an unbiased process."
External environmental contractor Pattle Delamore Partners would be taking care of the consent process, with the decision to be made by an independent commissioner, it confirmed.
The public can make submissions on the application until 27 July.