Latest news with #SelwynDistrictCouncil
Techday NZ
5 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Selwyn Water partners with Datacom for digital water management
Selwyn Water has partnered with Datacom to provide a digital foundation for the management of water services as the first council-controlled organisation of its kind in New Zealand. This partnership follows the establishment of Selwyn Water by Selwyn District Council to oversee water services for the Selwyn community. The move is part of the council's ongoing commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water services and its proactive approach to water reform. Selwyn District Council selected Datacom's Water Asset Intelligence (WAI) platform to support both the planning and management of water services through Selwyn Water. The WAI platform is a pre-configured solution that builds upon Datacom's existing cloud-based ERP council platform, Datascape, and is designed to help councils efficiently establish and manage their water services CCOs. Service transformation Alex Cabrera, Project Director for the Local Water Done Well initiative at Selwyn District Council, explained the shift in approach enabled by the partnership. "Our vision is to transition from a traditional council provider service to a utilities-type organisation. By investing in future infrastructure and leveraging Datacom's WAI platform, we are building the resilience and efficiency our network needs." Cabrera noted that the implementation process has benefited from collaboration between Selwyn District Council and Datacom. "The Datacom team integrated closely with our project team, bringing technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities. Their local presence allowed for face-to-face collaboration, which was invaluable." He highlighted the efficiency of the implementation process by noting that, "The whole setup was completed in just five and a half months, showing the agility and dedication of both Selwyn Water and Datacom." Supporting council needs Datacom's Water Asset Intelligence platform is positioned as a ready-to-go solution for councils seeking to establish or manage council-controlled organisations for water services. Peter Nelson, Managing Director for Datacom's SaaS products including Datascape, stated: "Our WAI platform is designed to provide a ready-to-go solution for those councils that choose to establish CCOs to manage their water services, supporting them to efficiently and transparently serve their communities now and in the future." Nelson pointed to the platform's compliance benefits, adding, "We are committed to ensuring that councils have the tools they need to deliver high-quality water services. Our platform offers clarity around water services and asset management, ensuring full compliance with government policy and reporting requirements." Digital integration The council-controlled organisation model supported by Datacom's platform aims to integrate core components such as data management, IoT water metering, water network monitoring, billing, and tools for public consultation. This integration is intended to streamline data collection and analysis, improve accuracy in water monitoring, and provide real-time visibility into water network performance. The platform is also designed to simplify billing and customer service processes for council-managed water entities. Cabrera identified the selection of Datacom's platform as a strategic decision for Selwyn Water's long-term development. He said the partnership reflects Selwyn District Council's, "commitment to implementing the right digital infrastructure and being strategic in its investment to ensure Selwyn Water is well-positioned to deliver long-term value to its local community." The WAI platform's scalability is highlighted as a key feature, allowing councils to broaden their digital service offerings in the future as needed. Datacom's ERP council platform Datascape, which serves as the foundation for WAI, is in use by over 75% of councils in New Zealand, indicating its established role within the sector for delivering cloud-based solutions tailored for local government use.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Experienced Local Government Leader, Chris Till, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Selwyn District Council
ACT Local has selected Chris Till – a retired corporate executive with decades of experience in local government – as its candidate for the Rolleston Ward of the Selwyn District Council in this year's local election. Chris holds a Master's degree in Law from Oxford and spent 40 years in senior corporate roles with Lloyds, Johnson & Johnson, and NZ Post. Alongside his corporate career, Chris has 20 years of direct local government experience, having worked for Christchurch City Council, Kaikōura District Council, and Clutha District Council. He has also run his own business and helped financially turn around struggling organisations – skills he's ready to put to work for the people of Selwyn. He lives in Rolleston with his wife, who is a registered nurse, his son, who is a student, and their beloved golden retriever. 'I'm standing to make life better for our communities by stopping above–inflation rate rises and making sure council only spends within its means. "I'll push for 50% of GST collected in Selwyn on new houses to stay in Selwyn, and I'll fight for the basics to be done properly – safer roads with potholes fixed quickly and permanently, reliable water services, and infrastructure that meets the needs of a growing district. "I'll be a strong advocate for local voices to be heard and acted on. With decades of experience at the top table of local government, I have the passion and the skills to make a real difference for you.' – Chris Till Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Lower Rates Cutting the waste Stopping race-based politics Restoring accountability Ending the war on cars ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Local Water Done Well Delivers First Water Services Entity
Hon Simon Watts Minister of Local Government Selwyn District is the first council in the country to launch its new water services entity, Selwyn Water, meaning safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater for ratepayers, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says. 'The launch of Selwyn District's water service entity today marks a significant milestone of water reform, and I look forward to seeing similar Local Water Done Well plans progress in the coming months,' Mr Watts says. 'Selwyn District Council is also the first council to have a Water Services Delivery Plan accepted and approved by the Secretary for Local Government, Paul James and the first to establish a water services council-controlled organisation (CCO) under the Coalition Government's Local Water Done Well policy. 'Selwyn District has demonstrated it has a financially sustainable plan for the delivery of water services that meet health, quality, and environmental standards, along with community expectations. 'I will be watching with interest how Selwyn Water manages the projected price increases for consumers during the initial years of their plan. I expect the Commerce Commission, as the economic regulator, will closely monitor to ensure the delivery of forecast levels of capital investment, justify the price. 'It is also my expectation that Selwyn Water will keep a close eye on its charges for new infrastructure to ensure that growth pays for growth. 'I am encouraged by advice from officials that future partnership opportunities with neighbouring councils are a core consideration in Selwyn District Council's Plan. 'These future partnership opportunities have significant potential to deliver greater efficiencies, standardisation, knowledge sharing, and ultimately, lower costs for consumers. 'Selwyn Water's constitution provides flexibility if other councils and communities seek the benefits of a regional water services CCO. This option bodes well for the future of water services in the wider region. 'The Department of Internal Affairs will continue to encourage councils to progress discussions with neighbours regarding future consolidation of water services for the benefit of consumers.' Mr Watts says Selwyn's progress demonstrates the effectiveness of local leadership when backed by sound, practical Government policy and legislation, including Local Water Done Well. 'Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton, his councillors and staff have the Government's congratulations for their vision and hard work in making such swift progress.'
Otago Daily Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton: 'We are not spending recklessly'
Mayor Sam Broughton has gone on the front foot over rates increases, saying the Selwyn District Council is not spending recklessly. A 14.2% average rates rise took effect yesterday and follows a 14.9% rise last year. The increases have been met with a barrage of criticism from ratepayers, who are also facing a 25% jump in the amount they pay for water use. There have been many letters to Selwyn Times , social media posts have been scathing and the Taxpayers' Union has also waded into the debate. Broughton, councillors and council staff have borne the brunt of the criticism. Many have said Broughton and councillors will face the wrath of ratepayers at the local body elections in October. Broughton is seeking his fourth term as mayor. Yesterday, the council issued a statement to news media in which Broughton explained the increases. 'Every rate increase is challenging, and I understand the pressure that puts on households,' he said. 'But we're not spending recklessly, we're investing in what our community has told us matters: Fixing roads and maintaining our water and wastewater supplies.' Broughton was referring to the 1500 submissions received in the Long Term Plan process a year ago, which forecasts the council's projects until 2034. It forecast rates would increase 42% between last financial year and 2026–27. The council came under criticism over not consulting with the public for the Annual Plan which rubber stamped this year's 14.2% rates increase. Broughton said another consultation would have been a waste of money. 'Repeating the consultation less than 12 months later would waste time and money when people have already told us to get on with it. 'The message was clear: Focus on roads, water, and waste. So that's exactly where over 80% of this capital budget has gone.' In the council's 2025–26 Annual Plan, which was signed off in a close 5-3 vote, more than 80% of its $145.8m capital budget has been allocated to roads, water, and wastewater services. Broughton's rival for the mayoralty, Malvern Ward councillor Lydia Gliddon, voted against the Annual Plan due to the lack of consultation and no chance for councillors to review spending in it. However, Gliddon did vote with other councillors for the LTP last year which put in train the big rates hikes. Gliddon agreed with the strong focus on infrastructure, but believed there could have been cost savings in some of the council's five strategies, which are budgeted to cost $1.53m and focus on economic development, youth, ageing people, bicultural, and biodiversity. 'Do we need to actually be spending that amount? 'We didn't get a chance to look at that and work out the nuts and bolts of that, and go, actually, it doesn't need to be that much,' Gliddon said. Broughton has also stood his ground to set up a new company to manage water and wastewater in the district, despite 86.1% of 423 submissions not in support of the new company. 'This is about long-term affordability. While we appreciate all feedback, less than 1% of residents submitted to the consultation, which suggests the majority are comfortable with the approach,' he said. Councillors voted 6-5 in favour of setting up the new company. Gliddon, who voted against the new company, said Broughton's comments showed he was 'out of touch' with the community. 'I don't think you can assume that much. People have taken time out of their day to tell you what they think. We've asked them. You need to listen to what they say,' she said. While about 70% of councils have opted to establish council-controlled organisations to manage water, Selwyn was one of three councils to not form a joint CCO with anyone else.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Local Structural Engineer, Zoran Rakovic, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Selwyn District
ACT Local has selected – a principal structural engineer and father of four, as its candidate for the Springs Ward of the Selwyn District Council in this year's local election. Zoran has called New Zealand home since 1995. Originally from Serbia, he has been part of the Selwyn community for more than a decade. A principal structural engineer, father of four, and grandfather of three, he's just as comfortable with a set of engineering plans as he is on a ski slope or mountain-bike trail. Now he's turning his skills to local government, standing with ACT to bring practical thinking, common sense, and real-world experience to the Selwyn District Council. "I believe council should run like a well-managed building site: clear plans, disciplined spending, no surprises. After 30 years delivering tough engineering projects on time and on budget, I know how to make things work. "I'll focus on keeping rates fair, cutting waste, and making sure everyone has a say – without letting race-based politics get in the way. Ratepayers deserve real value for money, and a council that puts them first." – Zoran Rakovic Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time – after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects. When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting: Fixing the basics Lower Rates Cutting the waste Ending race-based politics Restoring accountability ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says: ' ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who've had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It's time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won't divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They're here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton
