Despite a $2.5billion support package dangling in front of mayors at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in Blenheim yesterday, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said many remained unconvinced of the Government’s case for the massive water reforms.
Mr Kircher believed the Government was "very much trying to avoid making a decision" on whether the reforms would become mandatory.
There were too many councils talking about opting out for that not to happen, he said.
The financial analysis was not ringing true for Waitaki and others.
"There are quite a few councils that are just very cynical about the numbers and the supposed size of the benefit of aggregation — that’s the sticking point.
"Let’s see whether there is a real case, see how much benefit there is with aggregation, and work with communities to decide whether that benefit is enough to give away some of the control that they currently have."
The Otago Daily Times asked Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta whether the reforms could be compulsory. The question was referred to the Department of Internal Affairs, which did not answer it directly.
A department spokesman said the Government would discuss the proposals and receive feedback from councils over the next six to eight weeks before taking decisions.
"This includes public consultation/decision-making."
The Government unveiled proposed water reforms last month for four multi-region water service providers to replace nearly 70 councils in controlling New Zealand’s wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water systems.
It released a financial analysis of every council in the country, which it said showed the reforms would save ratepayers thousands of dollars a year by 2051.
Under the proposed reforms, the vast majority of the South Island, based along Ngai Tahu territorial boundaries and excluding the very top of the island, would be served by one water provider.
Nationwide, an up to $185billion investment over the next 30 years was expected to be required to maintain, replace and upgrade ageing assets, and to provide for growth, Ms Mahuta said.
The reforms would grow GDP by up to $23billion over the next 30 years and create up to 9000 jobs, she said.
Yesterday, Ms Mahuta and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the $2.5billion support package, including
$2billion divided among councils based on population, relative deprivation and land area.
A further $500million was set aside for councils’ transition costs.
Ms Ardern said she understood councils wanted assurance that communities had a voice.
Ms Ardern was confident that by September the Government would be able to sign off on the boundaries and, with councils’ help, set up the new water providers.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said councils needed to "maintain the autonomy" to make their decisions.
‘‘I met with the minister a couple of weeks ago and I will take her at her word."
"We can’t have exhausted all these resources and immersed ourselves in the issue to now have it like it was playschool.’’
Among issues to be addressed was how smaller areas, like Clutha, would maintain a local workforce if councils lost their water services staff, he said.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult called the amount of support "interesting".
He was disappointed the funding allocation was largely determined through population and deprivation levels, given the Queenstown Lakes district provided water services for millions of visitors.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks said while there was scepticism among mayors he believed the support package underlined a desire to work collaboratively with councils.
However, he wanted assurances that 10 years down the track that commitment would still be as strong as it appeared at present.
Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins called the support package a bribe.
"The Government has simply created a slush fund to buy compliance from local governments," she said.
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Comments
Water is a service, it's one of the things councils are ACTUALLY supposed to do, let them do it.
This "carrot" as it's called, is no more than a bribe.
to do councils DON'T BE FOOLED, DON'T TAKE THE BRIBE
Has central government ever delivered any service efficiently?
Can’t even build a house, but want to control the water as it falls from the sky. These people are mad. CCP mad.
If the govt has so much cash to bribe the councils with, they could just hand it over to the councils to improve services. After all, the govt have no problem with funding gangs. In reality this is all about central control and taking autonomy from the people. Did anyone else notice the boundaries proposed - coinciding with iwi boundaries. Does this presage some future plans about water ownership?
This "carrot" as it's called, is not even a bribe - it is a grasp at asset transfer at this price nominated by them. Simply, they if it is best - can manage the water without haviing to own the assets. This is what every CEO lead company does. This is about a transfer of assets and they are not even honest in saying so. It is by words being used, a fraud of the truth. It is nationalisation of the water assets, the opposite of iwi and community involvement having a say on local resources, community assets and needs. It is almost the antithesis of democracy. The real owners and users - iwi and community do not seem to have a voting say in this proposal.
For decades Councils have failed to manage water resources effectively. Communities are reaping the benefits of neglect of infrastructure, maintenance and poorly trained staff. Just look at Otago! Failure to provide safe drinking water; non compliant sewage discharges and contaminated stormwater and flooding. In particular the DCC is focused on gimmicks. Painted dots on the road, cycle ways and questionable artwork while ignoring the essentials of providing for the community. Council’s will not suddenly become competent to deliver, having repeatedly failed and it is long overdue for Central Government to save us from these near do wells.
This government couldnt deliver a baby let alone a 3waters programme. But they do love centralisation so they will force it. Afterall centralisation is at the heart of the communist ideology
Offering $2.5billion to take control of the water, yet our health system and housing is a shambles! St John reliant on donations and nurses striking for better working conditions and pay. Both of these essential services go begging yet there is money to control our water! The majority of the country's Fire Services manned by volunteers, massive shortage in mid wives, skills shortages, unprecedented increase in gang membership, and a pultry $20 given to beneficeries to sit quietly in the corner while food prices rapidly escalate because of red tape costs. And don't get me started on the vaccination roll out debacal. Water will be another undelivered shambles of a primary life requirement. Yes, councils haven't done well with our water, but our governments haven't done well with essential services either. I voted this govt in, I will vote this govt out. The REAL agenda's are coming to the fore, many of which will financially cripple the average Kiwi. The true costs of all these regulation rollouts will snap us all very painfully very soon if the madness continues. Thanks but no thanks Cindy, a step too far I'm afraid, I'd rather have Seymore twerking than this madness.