Water quality is at or near the top of the list of priorities for those standing for the Moeraki ward in this year's Otago Regional Council elections.
Four of the five seeking election - Alex Familton, Kevin Malcolm, Gail May-Sherman and Judith Borrie-Stevenson - spoke in front of about 20 people at the 90-minute meeting at the Brydone Hotel last night. Gordon Dickson was not present.
Each had five minutes to outline their priorities if elected, before taking questions.
Mr Familton said it was essential the regional council and central government worked closely on freshwater quality legislation.
"It's important and a high priority that the government and the regional council ... put these rules together so they are not at odds with each other."
Mr Malcolm listed water quality as a top priority, alongside pest control and coastal erosion.
"The environment for me is the overarching part of the whole setup. We all need to get together ... and actually create our own future."
Mrs May-Sherman described climate change as a "profound threat" not only to the environment, but also the economy.
She said many issues the council faced, such as water quality and waste management, were "greatly interconnected".
Ms Borrie-Stevenson spoke of the need to keep lakes and rivers in the regional council area clean, control pests more effectively and ensure sewage infrastructure was appropriately maintained.
