Tauranga City Council confirms its intention to transition to a water services council-controlled organisation by 2028, or sooner, but asks for more information on the governance and financial aspects of that entity.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says Tauranga City Council has invested well in its water services, so is in a good position to continue to deliver quality services through an in-house model until an intention is confirmed to form a CCO.
Last month, the Council postponed its decision on a preferred delivery model for future water services to allow time for further discussions with iwi and the wider community. Conversations with other Councils and staff across the wider region were also undertaken to understand how a larger regional organisation might operate in the future.
On Tuesday 5 August, Western Bay of Plenty District Council resolved to form a multi-council Waters CCO with Tauranga City Council but decided not to include Thames Coromandel District Council. Thames Coromandel District Council had previously voted to pursue forming a joint water services organisation with Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council but will now keep its water services in-house.
Mahé says Tauranga City Council has a solid existing partnership with Western Bay of Plenty District Council, so they remain a key potential partner for any future multi-council CCO.
“We already share water infrastructure with Western Bay of Plenty District Council and work closely with them on water delivery, so we will continue to engage with them as we work towards a future water services CCO entity.”
Council also resolved to invite Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Kawerau District Council, Whakatāne District Council, Ōpōtiki District Council and Taupō District Council to participate in data and information sharing to explore the future of Bay of Plenty waters.
Government legislation on water services is still in draft form, so Council’s decision will also allow time to get clarity on the opportunities and risks of all options.
Any future water services CCO would be for water and wastewater services, with the possibility of including stormwater services to be decided at a later date.
A future report to Council will include the Water Services Delivery Plan, ahead of submitting the plan to the DIA. This Council meeting date is still to be confirmed.
Resolutions passed at Tuesday’s Tauranga City Council meeting
That the Council:
a. Receives the report "Local Water Done Well - Preferred Water Services Delivery Model".
Tangata Whenua Position Paper on Local Waters Done Well
b. Acknowledges receipt of the Tangata Whenua Position Paper on Local Waters Done Well, and thanks Tangata Whenua for their consideration of the matter and providing a clear collective view within a constrained timeframe.
c. In recognition of the partnership with Tangata Whenua, undertakes to consider each of the matters in the Tangata Whenua Position Paper and form a view on what is practical, achievable and acceptable to Tauranga City Council (both in terms of process and outcomes).
d. Notes that some matters raised by Tangata Whenua are whole-of-Council strategic relationship matters which need to be addressed regardless of the water service delivery model chosen, and other matters are more appropriately considered through the Due Diligence and other processes associated with a Water Organisation where Tauranga City Council will also need to take into account the views of any partner Council/s.
e. Undertakes to provide a response to Tangata Whenua in respect of the matters raised.
Moved by Cr Rolleston Seconded by Cr Crowther
CARRIED
f. Based on the information and data currently available, and to ensure full engagement is undertaken with Councils across the region, and with iwi, that Council approves the water services delivery model be delivered via an in-house business unit, with the intention of transitioning into a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) for water and wastewater services, at the latest by 1 July 2028, with an option for Council to also include stormwater services.
g. In the meantime, notes a Water Service Delivery Plan (WSDP) will be prepared for the duration to deliver through an in-house model.
h. To welcome Western BOP District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council, Kawerau District Council, Whakatane District Council, Opotiki District Council and Taupo District Council for open and inclusive discussions and participate in data and information sharing to explore the future of Bay of Plenty waters.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Seconded by Cr Rolleston
For: Cr Scoular, Cr Morris, Cr Crowther, Cr Curach, Cr Baker, Cr Rolleston
Against: Mayor Drysdale, Cr Schuler, Cr Taylor, Cr Rozeboom
CARRIED
Notes to editor:
Local Water Done Well is the New Zealand government's plan to reform how water services are managed and to tackle the country’s significant water infrastructure challenges.
During public consultation in April a total of 726 people provided submissions addressing ‘Why wai matters: Local Water Done Well’ via Council’s online submissions form.
Community views on the proposed model (a multi-council CCO) were nearly evenly split. Some supported its regional efficiencies, while others raised concerns about costs and reduced local control. This was considered over several months alongside financial modelling and other factors.
To find out more, visit: letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/localwaterdonewell