Getting set to tackle water services myths
One councillor is hoping consultation on how water services are provided across Central Otago will deal to the many "myths" circulating in the community, while another has suggested the outcome of the consultation is already a "fait accompli".
The Central Otago District Council is considering teaming up with three other local authorities to deliver and maintain Three Waters infrastructure.
The council now wants to hear the view of residents and ratepayers. In a virtual meeting last Thursday, elected members signed off on a consultation document.
Cr Cheryl Laws said it was a matter of "how we get our message out now to the public and avoid all of these myths that are out there".
Branded as "Southern Water Done Well", the topic was canvassed in the just-closed long-term plan consultation. Collaboration with neighbouring councils and the status quo were among options mooted.
Council Three Waters head Julie Muir told elected members at Thursday's meeting initial analysis of submissions received in response to the long-term plan showed close to a 50:50 split in sentiment regarding the creation of a new water entity versus retaining the status quo.
However, much of the discussion at last week's meeting centred on the status quo being a red herring.
"The word status quo implies that we can continue as we are, with the same costs, and we know legally that's not achievable," Ms Muir said.
"There's no such things as status quo — it's 'status quo' that we continue to deliver in-house, but it's at a higher cost and higher level of service."
Cr Sarah Browne said people she talked to were confused as to why any change was needed when, on the whole, the district was already delivering water services well.
"I'd say the public feedback at this stage is that we absolutely should just be doing the status quo, keep it in house," Cr Browne said.
"That's the crux of the conversation I've had with everybody that's interested in it."
However, it was not that the council did not want to maintain the status quo; rather, it "can't do it".
"I think that's the key issue ... the status quo isn't an option; it isn't sustainable."
Mayor Tamah Alley said people needed to "wrap their heads around" the proposal.
"There are challenges coming in this [Three Waters] space that we are aware of, but perhaps the general public aren't quite across," she told councillors.
Cr Martin McPherson called the paper in front of elected members an "educational document" rather than a "consultation document".
However, there was silence when he went as far as saying: "We're not really seeking any feedback, because this is a fait accompli. We're going ahead with this come hell or high water because we don't have a choice."
Ms Muir said the latest consultation, zeroing in on water, would move the discussion on. She said the consultation document was "well put together" and "easy to read".
"I think this gives people a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of what's proposed."
Council chief executive Peter Kelly said the other three councils — the Clutha, Gore and Waitaki District Councils — signed off on similar consultation documents last week, with only minor amendments.
According to the Central Otago document, combined debt for the four councils is projected to rise from $236million to $598m by 2034, with $760m invested in water services over the coming decade to ensure compliance with national expectations.
The month-long consultation started late last week and will conclude on June 6. Public information sessions are planned.
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