Latest news with #LWDW
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Ohakune Water Plant Highlights Need For Affordable Water Solutions
Touring the new Ohakune Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with other elected members Mayor Kirton reflected on its $10.4 million cost and Council's impending decision on how to provide future water services under the Government's Local Water Done Well (LWDW) reforms. LWDW requires all councils to decide how they will continue to deliver safe, reliable water services sustainably into the future - either alone or in partnership with other councils. Mayor Kirton said the new plant was funded in part through the Government's Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) which was created to help smaller councils like Ruapehu manage the pressures of increasing visitor numbers. 'Funding support through the TIF was critical in getting this much needed project underway' he said. 'It helped address the gap left by our small ratepayer base and supported our efforts to ensure sustainable visitor growth. Unfortunately, the TIF and similar funding mechanisms are no longer available, making future upgrades much harder to afford.' He said the rising cost of delivering water infrastructure is a key issue as Council considers who to partner with to deliver future water services. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading "Construction of the plant was impacted by the COVID19 shutdowns and the massive infrastructure inflation that followed that saw water systems increase by over 28% and the final build cost increase significantly. 'We're now being asked to do more with less. The Government is encouraging smaller, rural councils like ours to work together to achieve affordability and long-term sustainability of water delivery. The most cost-effective option on the table is a five-council Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation with Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Rangitīkei, and hopefully Whanganui. We're currently asking our communities what they think about this option.' Mayor Kirton urged people to take a moment to complete the short survey on Council's website. 'This is about ensuring safe, affordable water services for the future.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tasman Goes In-House For Local Water Done Well Implementation
Tasman's future management of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services has taken a step forward, with Tasman District Council unanimously opting for an in-house business unit structure to implement requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well programme. This unit would be managed separately from other Council operations in a ringfenced capacity. While still part of the Council, it would be independently monitored to ensure high environmental and customer standards, as set by Taumata Arowai. The Council has also agreed in principle to establish an internal advisory committee with the option of external members to help provide operational oversight of three waters activities and provide advice to the Council. A report will be provided to the Council that includes options for membership, terms of reference and associated costs. Further to this, the Mayor and Councillors have expressed a desire for staff to continue discussions with other councils regarding options for greater alignment of services, information and procurement to increase efficiency savings across the Council's water, wastewater and stormwater functions. Local Water Done Well is intended to ensure people pay cost-reflective prices for water services, that those services are delivered to an acceptable quality, and that water services providers are investing sufficiently in infrastructure. The Council was obliged to consider and consult on new water service delivery options as part of the LWDW programme. On 27 March 2025, the Council confirmed public consultation on three options for future governance and management of Water, Wastewater and Stormwater. We received 16 submissions during the public consultation period between 22 April - 23 May 2025 Two options involving setting up a Water Council Controlled Organisation (CCO), each governed by an independent board, were also considered alongside the in-house proposal. Other governance options – such as trust models like those used in the electricity sector – have been considered by Council but are not being pursued. In the short to medium term, all options deliver similar financial outcomes. The structure and scope of the new business unit is yet to be finalized. However, it was acknowledged that an in-house unit operating within its agreed parameters allowed better opportunities for community involvement, as opposed to a CCO. The next steps in the process require a Water Service Delivery Plan to be completed and submitted to Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September, 2025. The WSDP will then be shared with the Commerce Commission, with a view towards the Water Service Delivery Plan being approved and ready for implementation by November 2025. It is intended that the internal business unit will formally function from 1 July 2027 to align with the next Long-Term Plan in 2027/2037.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council Backs Joint Approach For Water Services
Press Release – Kaipara District Council Kaipara District Council Mayor Craig Jepson says collaborating with the other Northland councils is necessary. Kaipara District Council has completed its deliberations on the future delivery model for water services, following community consultation as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well (LWDW) legislation. After reviewing feedback from 66 submitters, including businesses, organisations, and individuals, elected members agreed to pursue a multi-council controlled organisation as its priority model for water and wastewater services. This approach also received the strongest support from the community, with 60% of submissions favouring a collaborative Northland-wide effort to deliver infrastructure, maintenance, and service delivery for waters. Alternative options considered included a shared service contract model with one or more councils, and an in-house business model. Kaipara District Council Mayor Craig Jepson says collaborating with the other Northland councils is necessary. 'Reliable water services are important for our communities, so we need to make smart choices that keep them as affordable as possible and running smoothly for the long haul,' said Mayor Jepson. 'We know the cost of delivering water services is going to increase but we need to be in a position where we not only maintain efficient and affordable services but still maintain our community input on how these are managed. Representatives of Kaipara District Council are working alongside elected representatives from other Northland councils through a Local Water Done Well Working Group, with the goal of further investigating collaborative opportunities for water service delivery. Kaipara District Council Chief Executive Jason Marris said the decision today means staff will be working to finalise the Water Services Delivery Plan within the legislative timeframes. 'We're working closely with our Northland counterparts to support the working group in shaping a path forward. The decision today provides a good step to achieve what our community has signalled.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Council Backs Joint Approach For Water Services
Kaipara District Council has completed its deliberations on the future delivery model for water services, following community consultation as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well (LWDW) legislation. After reviewing feedback from 66 submitters, including businesses, organisations, and individuals, elected members agreed to pursue a multi-council controlled organisation as its priority model for water and wastewater services. This approach also received the strongest support from the community, with 60% of submissions favouring a collaborative Northland-wide effort to deliver infrastructure, maintenance, and service delivery for waters. Alternative options considered included a shared service contract model with one or more councils, and an in-house business model. Kaipara District Council Mayor Craig Jepson says collaborating with the other Northland councils is necessary. "Reliable water services are important for our communities, so we need to make smart choices that keep them as affordable as possible and running smoothly for the long haul," said Mayor Jepson. "We know the cost of delivering water services is going to increase but we need to be in a position where we not only maintain efficient and affordable services but still maintain our community input on how these are managed. Representatives of Kaipara District Council are working alongside elected representatives from other Northland councils through a Local Water Done Well Working Group, with the goal of further investigating collaborative opportunities for water service delivery. Kaipara District Council Chief Executive Jason Marris said the decision today means staff will be working to finalise the Water Services Delivery Plan within the legislative timeframes. 'We're working closely with our Northland counterparts to support the working group in shaping a path forward. The decision today provides a good step to achieve what our community has signalled.' View the council discussion and decision on the (from 1:03:41).
Scoop
11-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Local Water Done Not So Well: Public Understanding And Confidence In Framework Severely Lacking
Press Release – Local Water Done Well An additional 19 per cent said they had heard of it but didnt know any details, bringing the total number of respondents with no real knowledge of the framework to 74 per cent, or nearly three out of four people. As many district councils across the country are currently seeking public feedback on proposed models for delivering water services and who pays for it, under the Local Water Done Well (LWDW) legislative framework, new data from Perceptive, New Zealand's leading insights and market research agency, raises an important question: is the public informed enough to be weighing in? While the LWDW framework plays a key role in shaping how waste, storm and drinking water services are planned, built and paid for in New Zealand, more than half of respondents (55 per cent) said they had never heard of it, with one person stating, 'I have absolutely no idea what it is about.' An additional 19 per cent said they had heard of it but didn't know any details, bringing the total number of respondents with no real knowledge of the framework to 74 per cent, or nearly three out of four people. Only a small proportion of those who were surveyed feel informed, with 4 per cent reporting a good understanding of the framework. Mark Vincett, Director of Strategy at Perceptive, says this highlights an opportunity for councils across the country to better inform residents ahead of and during consultation phase, especially as 85 per cent of New Zealanders rely on water provided by councils. 'The lack of public awareness and understanding of LWDW is concerning and shows that more needs to be done to educate the public,' says Vincett. 'There's a big risk that Kiwis won't engage in the consultation phase if they don't know what it's about or how it can affect them.' 'Being better informed helps to nurture trust, so it's not surprising that the data also shows there's mixed public confidence in whether or not councils can decide on the best way to deliver regional water services.' When asked about their councils' ability to deliver under the LWDW framework, one fifth (21 per cent) said they do not trust the council to choose the best option, with 36 per cent being unsure and 43 per cent trusting their council. Some also took the time to mention that LWDW feels like a rebrand of the former Three Waters policy without any improvements, with one respondent saying 'Seems like we are redoing Three Waters… I wish our governments would stop undoing each other's work.' Notes: The survey was conducted by Perceptive with a sample size of 1,325 individuals. The survey was conducted between January – March 2025. All respondents are over 18 years old. Key survey questions and datasets are below. Regional and raw data tables available on request. Have you heard of 'Local Water Done Well'? I have never heard of it 55% I have heard of it, but don't know anything about it 19% I have heard of it and know a bit about it 13% I have good knowledge of this plan 4% Don't know 8% I trust my local council's ability to objectively and impartially assess the options and choose the best delivery method for the current and future water services in my area. Strongly agree 4% Agree 39% Neither 36% Disagree 13% Strongly disagree 8% How is your home's drinking water provided?
