Waitaki District Council has today voted to present an In-House Water Services Delivery Unit for a minimum of the next two years in their Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) by September 3, 2025.
Council also agreed to further discuss the future management of water at a later workshop, exploring key themes, and looking at various models adopted by other Councils – included exploring the possibility of a future shared services/Joint CCO approach with South Canterbury Councils.
They have also voted to exit the Southern Water Done Well partnership.
Reasons given for this choice included feedback from the community, that the third piece of Local Water Done Well legislation, the Local Government (Water Services) Bill, is yet to be passed by Parliament, and a desire to retain local control.
The decision follows consideration of modelling of the four options by Morrison Low, analysis of the modelling by Infometrics, Concept and the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), information provided by the Minister in his letter to Council in June and the content of the 300 submissions Council received during its month-long public consultation.
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher says: “Today’s decision determines that our Water Services Delivery Plan will focus on an In-House Business Unit for the next two years at least, subject to the DIA reviewing and approving the plan.
I’d like to thank the community for sharing their opinion, the Councillors for their consideration of this important topic, our officers for the hard work they’ve put in over the last 12 months, and our partner Councils in the Southern Water Done Well group.”
Waitaki District Council will now prepare a Water Services Delivery Plan for an In-House Water Services Delivery Unit, setting out the long-term investment, borrowing, and charges required to meet the Local Water Done Well requirements for financial sustainability.
This will be brought back to Council for consideration, approval and certification by the Waitaki District Council Chief Executive.
Council will also produce regular information and updates to the community regarding the additional costs an In-House Water Services Delivery Unit will entail, according to the most up-to-date information available.
Councils throughout New Zealand must submit a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September. The Minister of Local Government, Simon Watts, has stated in a letter to SWDW councils that there will be no time extension to submit a Plan.