The Hastings community will be asked to give feedback on three options for the future management and delivery of its water services following a Hastings District Council decision yesterday.
Councils across the country are being asked to talk to their communities about the future management and delivery of drinking, waste and stormwater services as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reform.
The reform programme, which replaces the previous government’s Three Waters legislation, seeks to address the increasing costs of providing the three water services, alongside the requirement to meet new, stricter water standards.
After analysis, the three options are considered the most beneficial for Hastings and the wider Hawke’s Bay region, and every option has been assessed for its benefits, costs, and long-term impacts.
At a full council meeting yesterday, councillors approved the options to consult with the community on, and also endorsed their preferred model – a regional Hawke’s Bay Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) owned by Hastings, Napier, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay councils.
The other three partner councils also agreed to consult with their communities on their preferred option of a regional CCO.
The other two options for Hastings are a single, Hastings District Council-owned CCO, or to continue to deliver water services as is done currently through a new business unit.
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst said it was very important that residents understand the impact of these options and provide input to help council make its final decision.
“I’m very proud of the extensive improvements we have already made to drinking, storm and wastewater services over the past eight years,” said Mayor Hazlehurst.
“We’ve invested about $248 million on upgrading our water infrastructure in this time, but ongoing maintenance and improvements, as well as meeting new national water standards, will put pressure on council’s finances along with those of ratepayers and water customers.
“Each option has advantages and disadvantages, but no matter what model we choose we know delivering and managing water is going to become increasingly expensive.
“We need to think about how we provide safe reliable water services both now and into the future in a way that supports the growth of our towns and cities, protects our rivers and aquifers, and makes the most efficient use of our residents’ investment.”
A regional CCO is Council’s preferred model given the improved financial sustainability it offers through operating and cost-efficiencies (with costs likely to be ring-fenced between councils), but any decision on a regional entity will be dependent on the consultation with the Hastings community and that of the communities of the partner councils.
Consultation on Hastings District Council’s three options will open on 12 May and run until 15 June, and there will be extensive information available to help residents form their views and give feedback.
From 12 May, this information will be available at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz.
