28 July 2022

Kawerau maintains position against Three Waters Reform

KAWERAU District Council retains its stance against the government’s Three Waters Reform due to the loss of control, management and asset ownership for the district.

The recent publicity about Local Government New Zealand’s ‘two waters’ option to leave storm water in the ownership of local councils is only part of their entire submission to the Water Entity Bill.

Kawerau District Council doesn’t believe this would be of any benefit for communities and could pose more complex issues than it aims to solve. LGNZ is a member organisation and Kawerau will continue its membership of LGNZ, as it is an important network and advocacy for local government.

Kawerau made a submission outlining its concerns and issues via the Water Services Entity bill and endorsed the submission against the reform by Communities 4 Local Democracy.

Kawerau joined Communities 4 Local Democracy with 30-plus other councils when it was formed in 2021 to ask the government to halt the process and to look at alternative reform models.

The reason is that Kawerau District Council believes the Three Waters model of ‘mega entities’ will severely disadvantage Kawerau residents. This has been confirmed by independent experts, Council staff and by the government’s own modelling process.

Council predicts that even after receiving the funding pledged by government, Kawerau will lose out on assets valued around $70 million.

Kawerau District Council agrees that the status quo is not an option and confirms its obligations to provide quality drinking water that meets all requirements and to responsibly manage wastewater and storm water.

As a local government organisation, Council is continuing to work with the Three Waters Reform process, but continues to maintain its stance against the current reform model.

[ENDS]

For more information, please contact 027 464 3785 Tania Humberstone, Communications and Engagement Manager, Kawerau District Council