Latest news with #IAWAIFlowingWaters
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waikato District Council Adopts Future-Focused Long Term Plan
On Monday 30 June 2025 Waikato District Council officially adopted its 2025–2034 Long Term Plan (LTP), setting a clear direction for the next nine years. The plan outlines how Council will continue to invest in essential services and infrastructure to support our growing communities while keeping rates as affordable as possible. Mayor Jacqui says the LTP is grounded in community feedback and focuses on prioritising what matters most. Budgets are firmly focused on core infrastructure deliverables and ensuring an effective Council to deliver them. 'To ensure we had the right strategic direction and service levels our ratepayers expect the first step in developing this LTP was to check in with our residents. Over 550 people shared their opinions with us,' she says. 'We have listened carefully, made some tough calls, and created a plan that focuses on what matters most; like roads, water, libraries, and parks while being realistic about what we can afford.' The LTP includes a general property rate increase of 4.25% from 1 July 2025, alongside changes to some targeted rates to better reflect the cost of delivering local services. Depending on where you live and the services you receive, total rates bill could go up by between 4.25% and 11% when targeted rates are taken into account. The targeted rate increases will mean urban properties experience increases closer to 9% to 11% because of significant water and wastewater costs. 'This plan is about doing what is needed now and preparing for what is to come,' says Mayor Jacqui. 'We are not trying to do everything at once. This LTP is focused on lowering costs, increasing efficiencies, and ensuring prudent financial and asset management of over $2 billion in Council assets. We are laying the groundwork for smart, innovative and sustainable growth.' Key changes and initiatives include: IAWAI Flowing Waters, a new Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) with Hamilton City Council, to deliver water and wastewater services from 1 July 2026, helping keep future costs down. Reprioritised our roading maintenance programme to make the $46 million in NZTA subsides work efficiently over the next two years. A refreshed approach to rubbish and recycling, with price updates and a new monthly drop-off service for Te Aakau starting in the next couple of months. Continued support for community assets, including updated targeted rates for some community halls, an expanded catchment for Whatawhata Hall and plans to repurpose the Ruawaro Hall into a war memorial and recreational space. More targeted investment in growth infrastructure with over $160 million planned to support development, partly funded by developers. 'We are committed to delivering what our communities need now, and in the future,' says Mayor Jacqui. 'This plan reflects your priorities, and we are grateful for your feedback to help shape it.' To find out what's happening in your area, visit to read the plan.
Scoop
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Growth Driving Water Investment
Growth and government requirements are driving a massive increase in water infrastructure investment across Hamilton city and the Waikato district. The two councils are signalling a joint investment of $3.6 billion in water and wastewater over the next decade. Of that investment, 67% ($2.4 billion) is driven by growth, noting a forecast 22% increase in households or businesses needing water services. The investment will be managed by IAWAI Flowing Waters, the councils' jointly owned company which will become fully operational from next July. The numbers are outlined in a joint Water Services Delivery Plan set to be approved by Hamilton City Council this week. Waikato District Council will consider the same draft Plan on 30 June. The Government requires all Water Services Delivery Plans to show how local authorities plan to deliver water services, meet environmental and health regulations, make the right investments at the right time, and secure enough revenue and debt to do the work planned. Plans must prove they can keep up with growth and be financially sustainable. For Hamilton and Waikato District, staff are recommending some strategic water projects be delegated to IAWAI Flowing Waters from 1 July 2025. This would be an interim arrangement before all waters activity, plus around 270 staff, are transferred to the company – a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) - on 30 June 2026. Hamilton City Council's Infrastructure and Assets General Manager, Andrew Parsons, said the immediate transfer of key projects would allow the company to quickly begin realising mutual cross-boundary benefits as well as access better debt arrangements not available to councils. Despite the huge investment planned, there was absolutely no change to the rates increases already forecast and budgeted by each shareholding council, he said. 'These core investments in infrastructure have already been well signalled and planned and are already budgeted. Working together in a new company structure means we can deliver a lot more in terms of critical water projects and do it faster. Put simply, it means we can get more done faster, and for less.' Strategic projects include the reconfiguration and upgrade of wastewater plants at Huntly, Ngaaruawaahia and Pukete along with planning work on a new wastewater plant for the south of the city and surrounds. Other projects include the introduction of residential water meters in Hamilton and long-term water servicing strategies for Tuakau, Pookeno and Te Kowhai. The plan also outlines water infrastructure plans for Peacocke, Rotokauri and Ruakura and well as housing intensification in Hamilton city. 'We're also budgeting and planning for replacement of some key water assets that will reach the end of their life in the next decade,' Parsons said. Once approved, the joint Water Services Delivery Plan will be sent to the government for approval. In the meantime, IAWAI Flowing Waters will begin work on the development of a 10-year Water Services Strategy, guided by a Statement of Expectations set out by shareholders.
