Latest news with #WSCCO
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
Consultation Underway On Proposed Model For Future Delivery Of Water Services
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said Council had carefully assessed a range of different models available, as part of central governments Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealands water infrastructure … Consultation on Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) proposal to establish a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) for the future delivery of water services in the district is now underway, as required by the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (WSPA Act). The proposal is to establish a Council Controlled Organisation specifically created to manage and deliver drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in the future. QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said Council had carefully assessed a range of different models available, as part of central government's Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand's water infrastructure challenges. 'As previously shared, we wanted to ensure the model put before the public considered financial implications for consumers amongst several other factors, given the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 is already projecting costs to increase significantly,' said Mr Avery. 'We're now encouraging residents of the Queenstown Lakes District to get involved, carefully read through the consultation document and assessments we've undertaken on the matter, and give us feedback.' The proposed WSCCO would be fully owned by QLDC, but the organisation would be governed by its own independent specialist board and management. QLDC would be the only shareholder and would appoint board members based on the skills and experience needed for proper governance of the new organisation. Intended legislation by central government would prevent any WSCCO from being privatised which means that the proposed WSCCO would remain wholly owned by QLDC, and the organisation would not be able to pay a dividend. Council would set the organisation's strategic priorities and establish measures to ensure it performs to expectations, while the Commerce Commission would use various regulatory tools to ensure water charges are fair, cost-reflective, and transparent. The other shortlisted option evaluated was for QLDC to continue to deliver water services in-house, recognising that changes would need to be made to enable Council to respond to the new regulatory environment if such a model was progressed with. An in-house model would be similarly subject to the Commerce Commission regulatory requirements. In addition to cost to households, the WSCCO and the in-house model were assessed on their ability to attract and retain staff, adapt to changing requirements, maximise value and minimise waste, effectively and efficiently manage water services, and deliver to community priorities. Mr Avery said public feedback was imperative to informing Council's decision on the best option to deliver high quality, resilient, sustainable, and reliable water services in the future. 'Drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater services all cost the ratepayer a significant amount of money, and under all scenarios, including in Council's current Long-Term Plan, water charges are projected to increase substantially,' said Mr Avery. 'I would urge all residents to take the time to understand Council's proposal and the alternative, what this would mean for the future, and to have a say before feedback closes on Sunday 29 June 2025.' A detailed consultation document on QLDC's proposed future water services delivery model and a feedback form are available online at QLDC Councillors agreed to consultation on the proposal to establish a WSCCO at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 29 May 2025.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Council to decide on setting up water CCO
Queenstown Lakes households may face higher water charges for the next nine years if the district council agrees to establish a new council-controlled organisation to deal with Three Waters. However, council property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said, based on modelling, the proposed water services council-controlled organisation (WSCCO) would lead in the long term to "lower charges on average" for the 10 years from 2034. At a full council meeting in Arrowtown on Thursday, elected members will be asked to agree to consult on the proposal to establish the WSCCO. If they agree, consultation would begin on Monday. Mr Avery said as part of central government's Local Water Done Well Plan, to address New Zealand's water infrastructure challenges, the council had carefully assessed options for the future delivery of water services. The other shortlisted option evaluated was for the council to continue to deliver water services in-house, which would be subject to the Commerce Commission's regulatory requirements. Mr Avery said the council needed to be confident the model chosen would be capable of delivering financially sustainable water services to meet the increased financial requirements in legislation intended to be passed by central government. "Under all scenarios, including council's current long-term plan, water charges are projected to increase substantially." If agreed, the WSCCO would manage and deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services in the district, and own the council's current water assets and their associated debt and liabilities. The proposed organisation would operate independently from the council. The Local Water Done Well reforms are underpinned by the Local Government (Water Services) Bill, expected to come into force later this year, which will require councils to transition to a separation of water charges from their general rates. At a workshop early this month, council strategy and reform manager Pennie Pearce told councillors the internal assessment found the district's households would face slightly cheaper annual Three Waters charges for the first 10 years under the in-house model, but those costs were projected to be lower under a CCO after that. — APL
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Proposed Model For Future Delivery Of Water Services To Go Before Council
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council Queenstown Lakes District Councils (QLDC) elected members will be asked to agree to consult on a proposal to establish a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO). Consultation would begin Monday 2 June 2025, decision pending. A report on the proposed future water service delivery model for Queenstown Lakes District will go before Council on Thursday 29 May 2025, as required by the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (WSPA Act). Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) elected members will be asked to agree to consult on a proposal to establish a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO). Consultation would begin Monday 2 June 2025, decision pending. QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said as part of central government's Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand's water infrastructure challenges, Council had carefully assessed options for the future delivery of water services in Queenstown Lakes District. 'Given costs are already projected to increase significantly as outlined in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034, we wanted to ensure the proposed model we plan to share for public consultation considered financial implications for consumers, amongst several other factors,' said Mr Avery. 'The assessments and modelling we have undertaken shows a WSCCO would provide the greatest opportunity to deliver high quality, resilient, sustainable and reliable water services and provide certainty for our communities on the provision of water services.' A WSSCO would operate as a Council Controlled Organisation specifically established to manage and deliver drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in the district, and to own QLDC's current water assets and their associated debt and liabilities. While the proposed organisation would operate independently from Council and have its own specialist board and management, legislation specifically prevents it from being privatised or paying a dividend. Council would set the organisation's strategic priorities and establish measures to ensure it performs to expectations, while the Commerce Commission would use various regulatory tools to ensure water charges are fair, cost-reflective, and transparent. The other shortlisted option evaluated was for QLDC to continue to deliver water services in-house, recognising that changes would need to be made to enable Council to respond to the new regulatory environment if such a model was progressed with. An in-house model would be similarly subject to the Commerce Commission regulatory requirements. In addition to cost to households, the WSCCO and the in-house model were assessed on their ability to attract and retain staff, adapt to changing requirements, maximise value and minimise waste, effectively and efficiently manage water services, and deliver to community priorities. Mr Avery said Council needed to be confident that the model chosen would be capable of delivering financially sustainable water services to meet the increased financial requirements in legislation intended to be passed by central government. 'Under all scenarios, including Council's current Long-Term Plan, water charges are projected to increase substantially. The modelling undertaken shows that when compared with the in-house model, the proposed WSCCO model would initially result in higher water charges for households through to 2034, but long-term would lead to lower charges on average from 2034 to 2044,' said Mr Avery. The report recommending consultation on the proposed future water service delivery model is to go before Council on Thursday and details on the assessments carried out is available online at Given the strong public interest in Local Water Done Well and the future delivery of water services in the district, those interested are encouraged to attend the Full Council meeting being hosted at Arrowtown Community Centre, starting from 1.00pm. The venue does not have livestreaming capabilities, but a recording of the meeting will be uploaded to QLDC's Youtube channel as soon as possible after the meeting has ended.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Proposed Model For Future Delivery Of Water Services To Go Before Council
A report on the proposed future water service delivery model for Queenstown Lakes District will go before Council on Thursday 29 May 2025, as required by the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (WSPA Act). Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) elected members will be asked to agree to consult on a proposal to establish a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO). Consultation would begin Monday 2 June 2025, decision pending. QLDC Property & Infrastructure General Manager, Tony Avery said as part of central government's Local Water Done Well plan to address Aotearoa New Zealand's water infrastructure challenges, Council had carefully assessed options for the future delivery of water services in Queenstown Lakes District. 'Given costs are already projected to increase significantly as outlined in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034, we wanted to ensure the proposed model we plan to share for public consultation considered financial implications for consumers, amongst several other factors,' said Mr Avery. 'The assessments and modelling we have undertaken shows a WSCCO would provide the greatest opportunity to deliver high quality, resilient, sustainable and reliable water services and provide certainty for our communities on the provision of water services.' A WSSCO would operate as a Council Controlled Organisation specifically established to manage and deliver drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in the district, and to own QLDC's current water assets and their associated debt and liabilities. While the proposed organisation would operate independently from Council and have its own specialist board and management, legislation specifically prevents it from being privatised or paying a dividend. Council would set the organisation's strategic priorities and establish measures to ensure it performs to expectations, while the Commerce Commission would use various regulatory tools to ensure water charges are fair, cost-reflective, and transparent. The other shortlisted option evaluated was for QLDC to continue to deliver water services in-house, recognising that changes would need to be made to enable Council to respond to the new regulatory environment if such a model was progressed with. An in-house model would be similarly subject to the Commerce Commission regulatory requirements. In addition to cost to households, the WSCCO and the in-house model were assessed on their ability to attract and retain staff, adapt to changing requirements, maximise value and minimise waste, effectively and efficiently manage water services, and deliver to community priorities. Mr Avery said Council needed to be confident that the model chosen would be capable of delivering financially sustainable water services to meet the increased financial requirements in legislation intended to be passed by central government. 'Under all scenarios, including Council's current Long-Term Plan, water charges are projected to increase substantially. The modelling undertaken shows that when compared with the in-house model, the proposed WSCCO model would initially result in higher water charges for households through to 2034, but long-term would lead to lower charges on average from 2034 to 2044,' said Mr Avery. The report recommending consultation on the proposed future water service delivery model is to go before Council on Thursday and details on the assessments carried out is available online at Given the strong public interest in Local Water Done Well and the future delivery of water services in the district, those interested are encouraged to attend the Full Council meeting being hosted at Arrowtown Community Centre, starting from 1.00pm. The venue does not have livestreaming capabilities, but a recording of the meeting will be uploaded to QLDC's Youtube channel as soon as possible after the meeting has ended.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Overwhelming Support' For Ashburton's Standalone Water Plan
Ashburton's community is backing a standalone business unit for the future delivery of the district's water services, according to submissions. The Ashburton District Council is poised to adopt the in-house, ring-fenced delivery model for its Water Services Delivery Plan on Wednesday, which will be lodged with the Department of Internal Affairs by September 3. Although the standalone business unit was deemed the cheaper option, the cost of water services is expected to rise due to tougher water regulations, a councillor warned. At last week's submission hearing and deliberations, councillors covered the 234 submissions, which showed 88% support for the council's proposed delivery model. Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said the key message from the community was 'local control and wanting the council to continue the good work that we have been doing'. Around 9% of submitters favoured the alternative option of establishing a water services council-controlled organisation (WSCCO), while the remaining 3% suggested another option or didn't specify a preference. Councillor Russel Ellis said the heavy weighting towards the proposed option was 'probably one of the clearest lots of public submissions I've seen in my time here'. One of the supporters was former district councillor Stuart Wilson, who was the lone submitter presenting in person at the hearing last week. 'It was important to show support for the option the council decided was the best for our district. 'Sometimes, through thinking the obvious choice will be accepted by rate payers can mean that the opposing view can activate themselves out of proportion to public opinion. 'The overwhelming support for the standalone business unit is an emphatic endorsement of your option that the council favoured.' He also advised the council that he backs the introduction of water meters to all properties connected to council supplies. 'Not only to monitor usage but to charge according to usage.' There has been a suggestion that it will become a legislative requirement in the future, 'so the sooner this is implemented in this district, it will be advantaged to comply with legislation and to ensure water is used responsibly'. In the deliberations, McMillan noted that the council's position is to use water meters only or leak detection. '[There's] no plan for charging for water, but we could be directed otherwise going forward.' Ellis wanted it to be clear that while a standalone business unit was deemed the cheaper option, the services wouldn't be cheaper. 'With the regulations that are changing, there will be increased costs.' The council's standalone business unit will need to meet stricter requirements, including regular reporting to the Commerce Commission, which will ensure that water service charges are fair and sustainable, and ongoing renewals and maintenance are appropriate.
