Just Five Submissions Drip In On Tasman’s Water Plan

Thursday, 22 May 2025, 3:59 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

Three Waters reform dominated headlines and generated public backlash for years but now only five Tasman residents have had their say on the future of the district’s water.

The previous Labour Government’s scrapped water policy, which would have rolled Tasman into larger regional water entities, received stiff opposition and ‘Stop Three Waters’ banners can still occasionally be seen across the wider region.

Tasman is now undertaking the necessary work to determine how its three waters services will be delivered under the Coalition Government’s replacement policy, Local Water Done Well.

Consultation has been open on Tasman District Council’s proposal for four weeks and closes at 4pm on Friday, but just five people have had their say, as of Monday morning.

Currently, the council is looking to manage its water in an internal business unit.

That approach would keep the council in control of its water infrastructure but wouldn’t take advantage of the potential economies of scale that could be achieved if Tasman teamed up with its neighbours.

Despite the low engagement and importance of water services, the council’s group manager for community infrastructure wasn't worried and thought the “silent majority” had given the plan the thumbs up.

“I feel as though there’s been no kind of angst in the community because, essentially, council’s still running it,” Richard Kirby said.

Whatever option the council chooses will have a financial impact on residents when they receive their water bills in the future.

A multi-council organisation with Buller and Marlborough would be the cheapest option for water users, but financial modelling of the different options showed yearly water fees would only vary by $335 after a decade and so the council opted to retain direct control.

Reduced costs became more evident beyond 10 years under a combined approach, but Kirby said there are other opportunities to share services and reduce costs across the region in the future.

“We’re still going to be having discussions with our neighbours.”

The proposed in-house approach will place “a bit of stress” on the council as it upgrades its systems and changes its procedures, and water will no longer be subsidised by the hundreds of thousands in dividends from Port Nelson, he added.

Council’s preferred approach will require Governmental approval and is expected to be implemented on 1 July 2027.

Nelson City Council only received 12 responses to its own Local Water Done Well consultation.

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