The New Zealand Government has offered no indication it will change its contentious Three Waters plans as Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) asks for the stormwater reforms to slow down.
The national organisation representing councils on Monday published its submission to a parliamentary select committee considering the Three Waters reforms, which would create four new public entities to manage fresh, waste and stormwater.
It asked the Government for a more phased transition of water services between councils and the new entities. LGNZ has also asked for the hand-over of complex stormwater systems to new centralised entities to be delayed.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said LGNZ’s perspective on the transition was “best left” with the parliamentary select committee to consider.
A spokesperson for Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said LGNZ was, along with other submitters, encouraged to discuss their views on the reform with the parliamentary committee “and consider the best way forward”.
Stormwater key issue for local councils
One entity could be “piloted” to begin with, LGNZ suggested. The Government has set a deadline for completing the reforms in July 2024.
“The reality is transition is well underway now. There are boots on the ground or people now actively working in that space of transition. Drop-dead deadline dates may not be the smartest way to approach this.”
Crosby said the Government’s proposed inclusion of stormwater in the reforms was “under-developed.” Bespoke arrangements between the new entities and councils would be required.
Stormwater infrastructure was complicated by how it overlapped with other council functions, such as roading, parks, and water catchment management.
“Given the complicated situation, the one size fits all approach with regard to stormwater is unlikely to work,” Crosby said.
“There’s a huge risk here. The risk is more in the stormwater space than it is in the water and waste water space. That risk needs to be carefully managed, potentially at a longer transition.”
Crosby said LGNZ’s suggestion about storm water was new, but it was not too late for the Government to take up the recommendation.
LGNZ provided its submission to Parliament’s finance and expenditure select committee. It has been considering the Water Services Entities bill, which will enact the reforms. The committee will make recommendations to the Government about any changes to the prospective law before further votes in the House proceed.
The Three Waters reforms have been highly contentious and divisive among councils. Many have been protesting the removal of control of water services from local government.
“The vast majority of councils do not support this [reform] model. We took a proactive view … to acknowledge that the Government has the power to do what they’re doing … Therefore, our role is to make sure that at least it will work as best it possibly can on the ground, in time.”
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