Former Otago Regional Council (ORC) chair Marian Hobbs has resigned from the council.

In a statement ORC chair Andrew Noone said Marian had been a passionate, committed and spirited voice around the council table.

“I want to thank Marian for contributing her knowledge and experience to the Otago Regional Council over the last couple of years,” Andrew said.

Marian has not commented on her resignation but ORC Dunstan Ward councillor Alexa Forbes said Marian’s resignation would be a loss to the Otago community.

“I think it’s a loss of an important and experienced environmental voice,” Alexa said.

In July Marian was ousted as ORC chair by nine votes to two at a heated council meeting, and some stakeholders were reported to be angered by her approach to water policy.

Previous: ORC chair ousted amid protest

The Otago Daily Times reported that Marian signed a petition in September calling for councillors to be ousted following councillors’ decision not to note council staff’s preferred minimum flows for the Manuherikia River, after concerns arose about ‘incomplete’ science.

“I don’t agree with Cr Hobbs on this issue,” Alexa told the Wānaka App.

“I still believe local democracy is the best way forward for us. Even with these difficulties that we’ve encountered, we generally as a council bring a diverse range of views to the table and debate reasonably well which I believe produces the best outcomes in the end.”

Andrew said Marian’s resignation does not trigger a byelection.

“The process from here is for council to consider a paper at its next council meeting, which will present our options for the vacated seat. Council can choose to appoint a replacement, or to leave the seat vacant until the election next year.”

Marian is a former Labour Party member of parliament and cabinet minister, and the current chair of Heritage New Zealand. She took over as ORC chair after the last local body elections in 2019.

PHOTO: Supplied