Nelson Director Recommended for Invercargill Water Committee Role

Invercargill City Council's water committee is considering changing its meeting times to accommodate a new member who will be flying in from Nelson.

The committee yesterday recommended appointing Nelson-based chartered director Lee Babe as both an independent member and deputy chairman of the water committee.

A council report noted that travel and accommodation costs would be required due to Mr Babe living in Nelson, though joining meetings via Microsoft Teams was also possible.

"If the water committee adjusted its start time, it is possible for Lee Babe to undertake a day trip," the report said.

Mayor Tom Campbell described Mr Babe as an "excellent candidate" and asked if it was intended he attend every meeting.

Committee chairman Councillor Grant Dermody said Mr Babe would ideally attend in person for the first six to 12 months, with a goal of making it to half the meetings in person over the three-year appointment.

Councillor Steve Broad gained confirmation that moving the meeting removed the need for accommodation, while the council's manager governance and legal Michael Morris said changes to meeting times could be determined by chairs and the chief executive.

Under the current timetable, the earliest Mr Babe could arrive in Invercargill is 10.20am and the latest he could leave is 4.50pm. A recent calculation put the cost of July flights at about $614.

Mr Campbell said he believed the water committee start time could be moved from 9am to 11.30am without affecting the 2pm start time for another committee.

Mr Babe has held positions at Parallaxx, Network Tasman Ltd and Agfirst Consultants Nelson Ltd. He has also recently been appointed to the board of council-controlled organisation Kaikoura Hurunui Water Services Ltd.

Three candidates were interviewed last month for the Invercargill role by a subcommittee made up of Councillor Dermody, Councillor Alex Crackett and chief executive Michael Day.

Mr Babe's appointment was approved yesterday by the water committee, but still needs to be confirmed at a full council meeting on April 28. If successful, his first meeting will be on May 5.

Remuneration for the role will be between $30,000 and $35,000, plus disbursements.