However, his stance seems to be at odds with Waitaki District Council management, who suggest it is too soon to settle on an option.
In his final report for 2024, Gary Kircher suggests Waitaki has an opportunity now to work with the likes of Central Otago, Clutha and other councils in a "coalition of the willing".
"It is my recommendation that we engage closely with those willing councils with the intention to stand up, as soon as possible, a strong, collaborative company that will work to deliver our water services," he writes in a report for the December 17 meeting.
He pitches efficiencies of scale, of procurement, and of standardisation.
However, council staff are more cautious — suggesting more time to weigh the real funding implications for the council and consumers as the water delivery reforms unfold.
Council must set out and deliver a Water Services Delivery Plan to the government by September 2025.
In a report for next week’s meeting, staff recommend elected officials adopt two options for public consultation.
The options are.—
• "In-house delivery", as opposed to the current setup.
• A "council-owned water services delivery" organisation.
Staff are also recommending further investigation and development of the Otago and Southland joint councils option.
Support services director Paul Hope said the council was required to "consider options" and must include a status quo/in-house option and one other.
"Council has determined the most suitable other option is a council-owned water services delivery company," Mr Hope said.
The requisite options would go to the public under the 2025-34 long-term plan.
Mr Hope said Morrison Low, commissioned by the Otago and Southland councils to investigate a joint entity, showed "some benefit" to most communities including Waitaki.
But the level of benefit still depended on future external decisions.
Those included "the level of shared services" and whether price harmonisation would be agreed.
Central Otago, Clutha, Gore, and Dunedin had already agreed to further investigate the joint delivery option.
Mr Hope said the council had also commissioned Morrison Low to look at a specific option for Waitaki.
This showed "significant further work" was needed to better quantify options and benefits of a joint organisation.
"This is the primary reason why this is not the preferred option . . . given the time available."
