The consultation phase for feedback on the Local Water Done Well (LWDW) plan for the Southland District Council has begun.
District residents are encouraged to submit their feedback with consultation open until May 7.
Councils are required to decide on how water services will be delivered in their area, consult on at least two options, and develop and submit a water services delivery plan by September 3 as part of the coalition government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) policy.
Group manager infrastructure and capital delivery Fran Mikulicic said the council had reviewed different water service delivery models in collaboration with Otago and other Southland councils, and advice from Morrison Low.
"We believe there are two options that are the most suitable for Southland district at this point in time and so we are consulting on these two options now," she said.
"This is a significant decision for how key services are managed going forward and we need to hear the public’s thoughts on how they believe we should proceed."
The government had made it clear that the status quo for water services was no longer an option, she said. Therefore, the council’s preferred option was an adjusted status quo where the council continued to deliver all water services with the necessary legislated changes made.
The second option was a standalone council-controlled water services organisation — a single council-controlled organisation would be set up to deliver stormwater, drinking water and wastewater.
"Council’s preference is for the adjusted status quo in-house model because it reflects our commitment to financial sustainability, community-focused governance and maintaining local influence over critical infrastructure services," Ms Mikulicic said.
A consultation document will be in mailboxes in the next couple of weeks with a detailed explanation and an opportunity for residents to provide their opinion. It can be found online at www.makeitstick.nz
The council will discuss submissions and make a final decision in June, before staff write the delivery plan, which needs to include details on how the services will be operated, and how the council plans to finance and deliver the preferred delivery model.
— APL
