That was the reaction of Waimate Mayor John Coles yesterday to the Government's decision to sack Environment Canterbury's councillors and replace them with commissioners - a reaction which echoed the views of other central South Island mayors.
The push for change had been community-driven and had started from the southernmost area of Canterbury, instigated by former ECan Waitaki constituency councillor Dr June Slee, who said it was not working, "which the community knew anyhow", Mr Coles said.
"I'm just thankful the Government has taken heed," he said.
Timaru Mayor Janie Annear was "relieved and really grateful" at the Government's "courageous response".
She was positive the decision would resolve the issues she and her district had with ECan.
Mackenzie Mayor John O'Neill said it was a bold move which would have the full support of the district's ratepayers.
"For a number of years, there has been a growing tide of dissatisfaction with the status quo and that led my council and others to advocate for something that would better meet our needs.
All mayors in the region have been pressing for change," he said.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton believed it was the right decision and the commissioners would have his "strong support".
"There is urgency.
Water management has to be dealt with and the timeframes have to be quick."
In a statement, ECan chairman Alec Neill said councillors were disappointed in the decision.
They believed strongly in democracy.
However, the announcement was not a surprise, as Environment Minister Nick Smith had in recent weeks met Canterbury territorial authorities, where there was strong support for installing commissioners.
Councillors had been "diligent in the face of uncertainty" and would continue to work constructively until the commissioners took over to ensure a smooth transition, Mr Neill said.
The complexity surrounding water management in Canterbury should not be underestimated and the removal of the council would not alter the challenges presented by the many competing interests for water, he said.
When contacted, ECan South Canterbury councillor Mark Oldfield welcomed the decision, saying it was a "brave and bold move".
He wished the commissioners well in "sorting things out".
To a certain extent, there was an "air of inevitability" about the decision.
There were mixed emotions among councillors, with some "a bit subdued" and some outraged, he said.
He believed the council's troubles were a legacy of former chairman Sir Kerry Burke, who was dumped last September.
Mr Oldfield said it was also no secret that he had expressed no confidence in chief executive Bryan Jenkins on water issues at least twice.
"My unhappiness has not been limited to recent days," he said.
South Canterbury's other councillor, Bronwen Murray, did not return a call yesterday.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said action had to be taken and she looked forward to the changes.
Forest and Bird believed it was a "covert move" to fast-track dams without public consultation, while Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the Government had stripped Canterbury of its local democracy.
"Out of all the options presented in the Creech report, this is the most extreme.
"It leaves Canterbury's water in the hands of National's hand-picked board appointees.
"This is extremely dangerous given John Key's repeated pro-irrigation statements," Dr Norman said.
Irrigation NZ chairman Graeme Sutton said the move was needed to allow a fresh start for the Canterbury region and ultimately the New Zealand economy.
Local Government NZ president Lawrence Yule said his organisation had "principled opposition" to Government intervention in local decision-making.
"However, given the history here, I am pleased with the speed with which the Government has acted, and its commitment to returning a democratically-elected council by the 2013 elections, or before."
The Bill which gives the Government the power to replace the council passed its first and second readings in Parliament last night on votes of 68-53.
Debate on its committee stage will continue today.
AT A GLANCE
The Environment Canterbury regional council was yesterday sacked by the Government, replaced by up to seven Government-appointed commissioners with special powers to urgently address water management problems in Canterbury.
The Government has appointed Dame Margaret Bazley to chair the commissioners, the rest of who are still to be named, to run Environment Canterbury (ECan) .
The 14-member elected council will hand over management of ECan to the five to seven commissioners some time within the next month.
That will be preceded by the Government, under urgency, this week passing special legislation in Parliament to start the process.
That legislation will also cancel this October's elections for ECan.
New elections will be held either when the commissioners have completed their task or in October 2013.
