Council considers options for future delivery of water services

Published on 01 October 2024

Whanganui District Council has begun work on its Water Services Delivery Plan and is continuing to work with regional neighbours on a possible joint model to deliver water services to ratepayers.

This is in response to government legislation passed in August this year that sets a new direction for water services – Local Water Done Well.

The legislation requires all city and district councils to meet new, stricter rules and regulations around financial management and the quality of their drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services – the three waters.

Councils have to develop, adopt and submit a Water Services Delivery Plan within 12 months that must show how delivery of water services will be financially sustainable and can meet new regulatory standards.

However, the reality of a local body election in October next year means that Whanganui District Council will have to adopt the plan in June 2025.

Councils will also have choices about how they meet the new rules but within the parameters set by government.

The five options are: an in-house business unit (our current delivery model), a single council-owned council-controlled organisation (CCO), a council-controlled organisation (CCO) owned by the council and one or more of our neighbours, a mixed council / consumer trust or a consumer trust.

Whanganui Three Waters transition manager Kathryn Stewart told the council’s Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on Thursday, 26 September that work is being finalised to understand if the council can meet the new rules and the impact on service levels and costs to ratepayers if it continues to go it alone.

At the same time the council is working on a regional model along with Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Manawatū, Horowhenua and Tararua district councils and Palmerston North City Council.

Regional appraisal work had shown there was a compelling case for working with one or more of our neighbours in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, including reducing the impact of higher overhead and compliance costs under any of the new delivery models.

Kathryn Stewart says continuing to take a collaborative approach and develop a joint model for future service delivery means the council has the flexibility to move quickly once it decides on its preferred option, given the tight timeframe set by the government.

This is ahead of any formal decision-making and it is up to each council to decide on a preferred option, with formal community consultation to be held early next year.

Whanganui District Council is seeking early input from the community ahead of deciding on a preferred model for consultation.

During October, the community can provide feedback either online, via email or by coming along to information-sharing sessions at Castlecliff, Davis and Hakeke libraries. The council is continuing to discuss with local Iwi / Hapū how the different options can best support its obligations under Te Awa Tupua.

Mayor Andrew Tripe says the council is keen to hear what’s important to the community about how water services are delivered in the future.

“Although we are on a tight timeframe, it’s important to get early feedback now to help inform our thinking before any decisions are made. We also want to share information with the community about the changes, ahead of formal community consultation next year.”

Mayor Andrew says a range of factors must be considered when the council makes a decision, including community views, the financial impact on water users and the wider council and the pros and cons of each option.

“The government’s Local Water Done Well policy does allow us to think differently and consider opportunities with our neighbours, including where we can find efficiencies and cost savings,” he says.

More information and how to provide feedback is available on the Have Your Say page of the council website.

All are welcome at the following Community Kōrero events:

Saturday 5 October 2024
1.00pm - 3.00pm
Outside Castlecliff Library
10 Rangiora Street, Castlecliff

Tuesday 8 October 2024
10.00am - 12 noon
Davis Library, Pukenamu Queen’s Park

Tuesday 22 October 2024
10.00am - 12 noon
Hakeke Community Centre and Library
69 Hakeke Street, Whanganui East