30-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
In-house water delivery service preferred by district council
Photo: RNZ
Any chance of Waitaki setting up a regional water company with neighbouring South Canterbury authorities has been scuppered, with Waimate district preferring to go it alone.
Waimate District Council chief executive Stuart Duncan confirmed the council's preferred choice was to operate in-house.
"The government's Local Water Done Well legislation mandates council to have a preferred option.
"After weighing all risks and supposed benefits of the joint-council WSO [water services organisation], the council is of the opinion that the Waimate district would be better served by in-house water delivery services. The final decision will rest with elected members and the people of our district. Public consultation will begin on May 15."
Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said the decision was not unexpected.
The government's new Local Waters Done Well legislation requires the Waitaki District Council to present the Department of Internal Affairs with a costed water services plan by September.
The options presented are continuing to deliver water services in-house or forming a council water services organisation to deliver water services.
The Waitaki council last year approved further investigation and development of Otago and Southland joint council options.
It noted the Clutha, Gore and Central Otago District Councils and the Dunedin City Council had already resolved to support this work. They had also supported and assisted in the Timaru District Council-led investigation and development of North Otago, South and Mid-Canterbury joint options, relying on Waitaki, Waimate, Timaru and Mackenzie to proactively participate.
The Canterbury option was now "highly unlikely", Mr Kircher said.
"While that was an option, it wasn't the council's preferred option," he said.
"We're still very focused on getting the best deal for our ratepayers and doing our best to manage the increasing costs of water.
"That remains our focus and we know that still remains the focus of Central Otago, Clutha and Gore, the other members of the southern group."
Consultation with the Waitaki community starts on May 9.
Asked if Waimate District Council felt it was unappealing to work with Waitaki, Mr Duncan responded, saying:
"Waitaki are consulting on three options ... The South Canterbury CCO model will leave the door open for Waitaki to join. It should be understood that we are consulting on the immediate future, and all future in-house arrangements can join a CCO in the future, and CCOs can join with other CCOs at a later date."
