Matamata-Piako District Council is the latest Waikato Council to signal its preference to join with up to six other Waikato councils to form a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) for the future delivery of drinking water and wastewater services.
Elected members considered detailed information about two potential options – a regional option known as Waikato Water Done Well, or an internal business unit.
Council’s preferred option is to work collaboratively through a new water organisation called Waikato Water Done Well — a move that would allow services to be delivered more efficiently, with shared costs, better access to skilled staff, and greater borrowing capacity to fund essential upgrades.
Waikato Water Done Well would be a CCO - an organisation owned by participating councils that delivers services on their behalf.
The six other councils who are part of Waikato Water Done Well include Waitomo, Ōtorohanga, Waipā, Hauraki, South Waikato and Taupō. Those councils are also going through their decision-making processes.
Under the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation, all councils across New Zealand are required to produce a water services delivery plan by September this year, with a focus on financial sustainability and meeting quality standards. The legislation is still evolving as councils move through this process.
Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said the decision about the future delivery of water services was complex, large and impactful.
“This is a legacy decision, and one that Council hasn't taken lightly because we know it will affect generations to come. The costs for delivering water services will be higher, no matter which option we choose - so we need to make a decision that is best for this community in the long term. The Waikato Water Done Well option means working together to deliver better long term outcomes for our community and the environment. Over time, this will also be the most affordable option for our communities.”
Chief Executive Mania Te Wiata believes that while council does a good job now with water service delivery, the new standards mean council will need to do better.
“We’re all facing tougher rules around how we manage water, and working with our neighbouring councils gives us a real opportunity to improve how we deliver these services. By joining forces, we bring together the vast experience and strengths of our teams, and will have a stronger voice with government - and that means delivering better services for our communities.”
Consultation on the preferred option will open on Monday 5 May, with submissions closing on 25 May.
From Monday 5 May the consultation document and submission form will be available on Council’s website, and hard copies can be picked up from Libraries and council offices.
During the consultation there will be opportunities to find out more – through online webinars, or in person at information sessions where people can talk with elected members and staff.
- Thursday 8 May, 12.30-1.30pm
- Thursday 8 May, 7-8pm
Information sessions:
- Wednesday 14 May, 5.15-6.15pm at Matamata Civic Centre
- Thursday 15 May, 1.30-2.30pm at the Morrinsville Rotary Hall
- Monday 19 May, 10-11am at the Silver Fern Farms Events Centre, Te Aroha
The final decision on a water services delivery model will be made by Council at the end of June.