Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said yesterday the government would move to repeal the former government’s Three Waters legislation early in the new year.
The move would "restore council ownership and control" of water assets, and give "much needed clarity" to councils, Mr Brown said.
"We’ve listened to calls from mayors around the country for swift action and clarity. Specific provisions in the Bill will address the immediate challenges faced by councils who are currently preparing their 2024-34 long-term plans under the previous government’s settings, by providing flexibility in setting plans," he said.
However, Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said any such legislation would arrive too late for his and other councils’ long-term planning, which was already several months in, and necessarily based on existing Three Waters legislation.
"We’re reaching the point of no return for long-term plans, shackled to the assumption Three Waters is off our books in year 3.
"Council will be meeting on January 25 to confirm our draft long-term plan consultation document, so what do we do if the government comes in on January 20 and says ‘all change’?
"This has created a pantomime of a long-term plan, entailing the largest rates rise ever inflicted on our community, which we hope we can get under 20%. The effect of this on pensioners and the vulnerable will be to rupture society."
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said although the repeal was likely to mean his council footing Three Waters infrastructure costs of up to $500million during the next 30 years, he welcomed the "certainty" the repeal would offer.
"Several councils will be happy to hear this, and we all wanted a lot more certainty regarding our long-term planning.
"The previous reforms had the positive of councils joining together to create cost efficiencies, so one problem with this new reform is that that looks like being more voluntary.
"We’re still talking with our Canterbury and Otago-Southland colleagues about collaborating for efficiencies, because you look at somewhere like Hawke’s Bay, and they’re looking at paying $2000-$5000 a year for water.
"Water will not be as cheap as it has been, as the new standards have to be met, and this will increase debt for many councils.
"We’ll wait to see what the new government does to mitigate those challenges for councils."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
In his announcement, Mr Brown said the previous government’s reforms had proven "hugely unpopular".
"It’s clear the previous government’s approach of removing community control of water assets and prescribing co-governance was hugely unpopular and proposed a one-size-fits-all approach to water services delivery.
"We are committed to addressing the water infrastructure challenges that are jeopardising our nation’s health and prosperity and driving up costs for households across the country."
The new reforms will be called "Local Water Done Well".
