For immediate release 
28 October 2021

Council disappointed with Three Waters Reform announcement

Kawerau District Council is disappointed for its community that the government is taking away the choice to join or opt out of the Three Waters Reform.

Mayor Malcolm Campbell said it is disappointing that the concerns of our community were not responded to ahead of Wednesday’s announcement. 

“Our community came out in droves to raise concerns and issues in their feedback about the Three Waters Reform. 

“Our Council and staff have also put in a huge amount of effort, time and expense over the past two years assessing whether our district would be better off under the reform model. Our independent experts, Council staff, the community and even the DIA’s consultant’s assessment was that Kawerau would not be better off - yet the reform will now be forced upon us.”  

“We have done this in good faith, and feel this has not been reciprocated.”

“We acknowledge there are some districts with issues about funding their water infrastructure – this is a sledgehammer approach – a ‘one size fits all’ model.”

Mayor Campbell said it is a particularly challenging time for the district and the whole country with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Adding to these pandemic challenges, we have the Three Waters Reform, the reform of the RMA (Resource Management Act), the health system and the future of local government.”

Mayor Campbell said Kawerau District Council would keep pushing ahead with the replacement of the drinking water pipes that had started in 2020.

“One of the major concerns from the community and ourselves is that as a small district we will be pushed to the back of the queue – so we are forging ahead with our Three Waters infrastructure replacements as planned to make sure our community doesn’t suffer.” 

[ENDS]

For more information, please contact Tania Humberstone 027 464 3785.