Make sure you share your Three Waters views with Government

There’s still time to share your views on the Government’s draft Three Waters legislation.

Nationwide public consultation on the Water Services Entities Bill is open until Friday 22 July, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council is encouraging the community to provide their feedback direct to Government.

Information on the legislation and details on how to make a submission are on the Parliament website.

Parliament is currently considering the Water Services Entities Bill that creates four entities for Aotearoa, of which Western Bay of Plenty District Council would be part of ‘Western-Central Water Services Entity’ (previously called Entity B).

This entity would cover the central North Island involving 22 councils in the greater Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and parts of Manawatū-Whanganui. The change would not come into place until 2024 and councils will continue to manage three waters until then.

Under the Bill these entities will manage the future delivery of three waters services across the country. The Bill also sets out how these entities will be governed, how they will operate, and how they will be held accountable.

The community can share their views on the draft legislation which will change the way water services are delivered in New Zealand direct to Government on the Parliament website until 11.59pm on Friday 22 July.

Alongside the community, Council is developing its own submission to ensure better outcomes for our communities and the environment.

The critical outcome expected from the reforms is that nationally all Council-owned and operated water services are fully compliant with water standards and Resource Consent conditions.

Staff are currently drafting Council’s own Select Committee response to the Bill. We will share this with the community once completed.

A second Bill is expected in September/October and will cover economic regulation, rural supplies, links to planning, the more detailed powers and the flow-on effects for other obligations.

Feedback on the legislation to the Select Committee can be provided until Friday 22 July. Information on the legislation and details on how to make a submission are on the Parliament website.

For more information visit the Department of Internal Affairs Three Waters information site.