Waters governance group to guide future options

A project governance group has been established to guide future decision-making on the delivery of water services in the Waipā District.

The Local Water Done Well Project Governance Group is made up of Mayor Susan O’Regan, Deputy Mayor Liz Stolwyk, councillors Clare St Pierre and Mike Montgomerie, and staff with subject matter expertise. An iwi representative will also be appointed.

The group will provide direction on the development of a Water Services Delivery Plan, demonstrating how Waipā will deliver water services that are financially sustainable, meet regulatory quality standards for infrastructure and water quality, and support housing growth.

The Council is currently considering a number of options.

One option will see new chief executive Steph O'Sullivan negotiating a non-binding agreement for Waipā to potentially join with other Waikato councils in forming a regional waters organisation. It follows a report released by the Waikato Mayoral Forum in July which said the region would be better off if local councils worked together to deliver water services.

Alongside this, council will concurrently be doing an independent assessment to determine if Waipā can continue to stand alone to deliver water services in future, or if it was better off joining with others. That assessment will be completed by late September.

Mayor Susan O’Regan noted the government had made it crystal clear – repeatedly –that the status quo for three waters is not acceptable.

“We need all the information on the table, noting there are still a lot of issues to work through. Whatever way we go, we know that change is coming.”