Council committed to community despite Three Waters mandate

Western Bay of Plenty District Council remains committed to providing well maintained water infrastructure despite Government’s Three Waters reform mandate.

The Government has announced it will make its Three Waters reform mandatory for all councils, rejecting the option to make it voluntary for councils. The reform will see the management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater transferred from 67 councils to four public-owned entities from 1 July 2024.

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says the decision to make participation compulsory is a disappointing blow given Council bought into this reform process because it was optional.

He says unlike some councils Western Bay has been a good steward of its infrastructure, investing in water networks and treatment plants and in turn providing a good service to its residents.

“Our infrastructure is in a good state and this reflects the major investments we have made in the past. Our assets are modern and well maintained and we are committed to ensuring this continues now and into the future.

“However we recognise that there are many councils in New Zealand who have not and so we are now faced with the challenge of bringing everyone up to required standards by July 2024,” says Mayor Garry.

As part of the reform announcement, Government agreed to set up a working group of council and iwi representatives who will work on developing solutions to the very real sticking points around governance, representation, and accountability. The other critical issues for councils, including rural water schemes and integration with the planning system, will also be worked on with the sector.

“We like many councils in New Zealand are concerned about the governance arrangements, in particular the ability of local councils such as ourselves to get our voices heard,” says Mayor Garry.

“Based on past experiences there is no guarantee that the best laid plans will be funded centrally when there are bigger councils with bigger problems that need resolution.”

This announcement also generates significant questions, including about public consultation. As a central government initiative, it will now go through the usual process for government-led reform and legislation change.

However, Mayor Garry appreciates this won’t stop the community looking to Council for answers given the longstanding commitment to having a conversation on the reform, but only when the time was right.

“We can still do this, and will, by shifting the conversation to the outstanding issues that Government wants to resolve through the working groups. How we can influence these working groups will become clear once they are set up.

“Given it is a Government-led reform we as a Council will be discussing very quickly our approach to getting the views of our community in a format where we can present them wherever necessary to Government.”

The Department of Internal Affairs have indicated in their timeline that the three pieces of legislation to implement their decision will have Select Committee processes and public submissions and hearings. This will be another avenue Council can use to express the community’s views and advocate for our interests.