Local Water Done Well - TCDC Approves Joint Water Services Organisation

Scoop

5 days ago

Thames-Coromandel District Council has voted to join with Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils to form a joint water services delivery organisation that will comply with new Government legislation and futureproof these essential services for our community.
At its meeting this week, our Council met to decide on the district's water services and delivery as part of the Government's mandated Local Water Done Well reform.
The decision to form a joint Water Services Organisation follows a year of research, meetings, workshops and community consultation.
In December 2024, Council narrowed down the options for future water services delivery under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act to:
an enhanced status quo (an internal water services unit) or;
a regional/sub-regional Water Services Organisation
Other options were initially explored but expert advice found these not financially feasible.
Our Council consulted with our community between 15 April and 15 May on what its preferred option was. Local community catch-up sessions, online Q&A sessions and meetings with iwi contributed to our Council's conversations about which option would serve the district best.
A total of 241 public submissions were received, revealing 51% supporting our Council's preferred joint water services organisation delivery model compared to 46% of submissions supporting the internal business unit model. Another 4% of submitters did not specify a preferred option. As part of this consultation 69% of submitters advised that the key consideration for future water service delivery was affordability.
The staff analysis recommended forming a joint water services organisation with Western Bay of Plenty (WBOP) District and Tauranga City councils as the best option to provide future affordability for local ratepayers while providing a mechanism to influence the design of the new joint Water Service Organisation. Joining the Waikato Water Done Well grouping of seven Waikato councils or the Hamilton City/Waikato District entity were also considered to be good options but not as strong as the Tauranga/WBOP option
Seven councillors and Mayor Len Salt voted in favour of this option, with a potential start date of 1 July 2027. Two councillors voted against (Councillor Morrissey, Councillor Rodley).
Council staff will now work with Tauranga and Western Bay councils to prepare a commitment agreement and joint implementation plan before reporting back to Council.
Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie noted 'This is an important decision for council, which focuses on ensuring our water services will be delivered sustainably for future generations.'.
A Water Services Delivery Plan will now be drafted up before being presented to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025.