UPDATED 10.50AM The Environment Minister is warning history could repeat itself if Canterbury has a fully locally-elected regional council this year.

Wigram MP Megan Woods has had her Member's Bill to restore full democracy to Environment Canterbury drawn from a Parliamentary ballot.

If it becomes law, a special election would be held within three months to replace six Government-appointed regional councillors.

But Nick Smith said the Bill is "a bit late and nothing but a political stunt".

"You've got to be kidding, Ms Woods - this would send Cantabrians to the polls for a second time in less than a year," he said.

Smith said we can't forget poor water decisions made by the locally elected council before it's sacking in 2010.

"Megan Woods is living in a bygone world pretending there were never any problems at Environment Canterbury. All 10 mayors in Canterbury called on the Government to intervene."

Smith said Government must still ensure the right experts are involved in water decisions.

"Existing law gives the power for Environment Canterbury to be able to pass water plans without recourse to the Environment Court, and the use of specialist skills is needed to sensibly exercise those special powers."

But Green MP Eugenie Sage said it's time to bring democracy back at Environment Canterbury.

"The photo of a lot of tired, white men on the front page of The Press shows that we'd get much more diversity if we had an elected council."