The Wakatipu Wildlife Trust held a public meeting at the Kiwi Birdlife Park last night, where most of the Wakatipu ward candidates were grilled on their views on climate change and the environment.
Under the stars, in a small outdoor caged amphitheatre, candidates were given three to five minutes to speak about the environment before taking questions on growth, waste, and wilding pines from the 40-strong crowd.
The main bone of contention at the meeting was the council's resource consent application to discharge wastewater into waterways.
Mayoral candidate Nik Kiddle said he was opposed to the proposal.
''I want to see the emphasis go back on the performance of the sub-contractors who are required to deliver those services.''
Wakatipu ward candidate John Glover called the application a ''massive misjudgement by the current council''.
But Mayor Jim Boult said the council had been repeatedly taken to court by the Otago Regional Council over spillages because of the district's ''ageing and decrepit pipe system''.
He said the application would prevent that from happening while the council worked to improve its infrastructure.
Members of the audience also raised concerns about the impact of growth on the environment, and in particular, the clash between the council's declaration of a climate emergency and the prospect of airport growth.
The campaign is over almost before it began for one Wanaka ward candidate.
Vicki Spearing announced on Facebook that due to an error processing her $200 candidate fee, her nomination had been deemed invalid.
She said she sought legal advice, but accepted that her candidacy would be withdrawn.
''I accept the process is very clear and, as much as it upsets me, I understand the integrity of the process is paramount,'' she posted.
