Whanganui District Council says it is preparing a submission to oppose the government’s Water Services Entities Bill – the first of a suite of bills to reform New Zealand’s drinking-water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Council chief executive, David Langford says Whanganui District councillors will hold a workshop on 14 July to discuss the submission.
“Whanganui District Council is currently asking the community for their views on three waters and other central government reforms,” said Mr Langford.
“And preliminary responses from our survey will help to inform the workshop discussion.”
Mayor, Hamish McDouall said councillors had voted unanimously to oppose the current reforms proposal at a meeting in March.
“The council’s submission on the Water Services Entity Bill will state that the council does not support it, but we are also be looking at the public response to the survey. The council has been frustrated from the outset that the government has not adequately consulted with communities on these issues,” the Mayor said.
The Bill is set to create four publicly-owned water services entities that will provide water services in place of local authorities.
Mayor Hamish and Mr Langford are expected to present the submission in person to the select committee in Wellington.
A council survey on the issue will close at 5pm on 30 July.