Three Waters submission - more questions than answers

Waipā District Councillors are formalising a submission to Central Government this week for the Three Waters Reform, stating their opposition to the reforms in its current format.

The draft submission, presented at today’s Council meeting, will be finalised this week and raises more questions that need answers over the reform, predominantly around proposed governance models, community advocacy (and lack of community voice), strategic planning and the funding for delivery of water services.

While no decisions have yet been made, the submission is part of the Central Government’s process, ending an eight-week consultation period with local government, says Waipā District Council Group Manager Service Delivery Dawn Inglis.

“Council is concerned that we will be asked to make a decision on whether or not to commit to the Central Government Three Waters Reform proposals in the absence of important information that will enable us to meet the key requirements for robust decision making,” the draft submission states.

“These reforms will have significant impacts on the community’s wellbeing, as defined by the Local Government Act 2002, for many generations and the community has a right to be consulted and their views given due consideration,” the submission states.

Concerns around governance and ownership were also issues that needed answers.

“Waipa District Council has significant concerns with the Entity model as proposed, but in particular the governance model. The lack of Council representation in the Regional Representative Group (with only six Councils represented, and six mana whenua representatives), will not meet either Council’s, or the communities’ served by our Council, expectations,” the draft submission adds.

“The transfer of ownership of community assets to the new entities is causing considerable debate from a constitutional and an equity perspective. With that transfer goes accountability and the ability to control the direction and standard of growth in individual communities.”

Waipā Mayor Jim Mylchreest said the reforms felt rushed, and also needed to involve the community.

“We are in position to let the government know that we do not accept the reforms in their current format. We are happy to move forward and have a discussion with other councils and central Government to design a package that is practical and will actually work, and not waste a lot of money,” Mylchreest said.

Councillor Susan O’Regan agreed the process had been rushed and felt the draft submission needed stronger wording.

“I want to express my frustration with this entire process. Last November when we had meetings with DIA, the timelines and timeframes set out were transparent, but then that good faith was eroded with an expensive and offensive advertising campaign.”

Once finalised, the submission will be formally presented to Local Government New Zealand and Department of Internal Affairs, signed on behalf the council by the Mayor, and Chief Executive Garry Dyet.

To see the full Three Waters discussion, head to the Tuesday 28 September full Council meeting at https://www.waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/agendas-and-minutes