By Pattrick SmellieThe Ashburton District Council has reneged on its deal to sell commercial land to a Chinese-controlled company that planned to bottle South Island water for export in an initiative that excited strong local opposition. The Stuff website quoted Ashburton mayor Angus McKay as saying the potential purchaser failed to tell the council "how they intended to run a water bottling plant from the site". Those who profit from the use of water, like those who bottle and sell it as a premium product, should pay for the privilege. "Flogging it off to the highest bidder is not a sustainable or even sensible attitude to take towards our water." "Those who profit from the use of water, like those who bottle and sell it as a premium product, should pay for the privilege," said Delahunty.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 10, 2016 22:52 UTC