Councils To Pull Trigger On Water Consultation

Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 8:58 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Tararua and South Wairarapa councils will be the first in the region to consult on options for future water service delivery under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reform.

Elected members from each council are set to meet Wednesday to adopt consultation documents that would include an enhanced status quo option and a regional council-controlled organisation with Masterton and Carterton.

The consultation period for Tararua and South Wairarapa would begin later this week and would last about a month.

Masterton and Carterton councils were set to meet next week to adopt their consultation documents.

Although South Wairarapa was yet to table its document, Tararua’s document said that a standalone approach for its district would be “financially difficult to achieve”.

It said by teaming up with other councils, “water services become more affordable, with access to more funding and better borrowing power”.

“Continuing the existing approach will result in higher water bills for water users, and concerns about affordability for the community.”

It said the council would struggle to access enough funding to meet the required levels of service.

“We wouldn’t typically consult on an option that is difficult to meet legal requirements. However, Central Government requires all councils in New Zealand consult on its ‘existing approach’.”

Regarding price harmonisation, the consultation document stated any decision to standardise charges in the future would be made by the CCO, with council input.

“Right now, we don’t want to average prices across districts for a few key reasons.

“Each area has its own unique costs for water services based on things like population size, infrastructure, and specific local needs.

“Averaging prices could mean some districts would pay more than they should, while others would pay less than they need to, making it harder for councils to fund projects effectively.”

In the foreword to the document, Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis said the decision would shape the future of water services in our district for generations to come.

“We face an urgent need for new solutions to our water services challenges,” she said.

“However these solutions come with a hefty price tag that we cannot bear alone.

“Costs are bound to rise, and our task now is to find ways to minimise these expenses while ensuring the best outcomes for our community.”

Local Water Done Well reforms have been driven by Central Government’s desire for councils to do a better job of reporting and managing water services.

The Government also wants water services to be financially sustainable and ringfenced from other council activities.

Under legislation, councils must submit a Water Services Delivery Plan by September 3, 2025.

The Government preferred councils to work together in regional groups to manage water services.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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