A Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) meeting taking place today (Tuesday September 28) will be a chance for the council to create a ‘position statement’ on the proposed Three Waters reform.

Central government has asked for council feedback on the controversial proposal, which would see management of all council-run drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater transferred from local councils to one of four new water entities across the country.

The reform has been criticised by many, including QLDC mayor Jim Boult who wrote to the minister of local government earlier this year with other mayors and chairs across Otago and Southland to formally request a pause to the process. 

The mayors listed concerns around a lack of information and asked for time for “meaningful engagement” with affected communities.

“QLDC fully supports the government’s intention to ensure that all New Zealanders have access to safe, clean water, and that our environment is protected and regenerated as a priority,” Jim said. “But it’s also vital we have a clear understanding of whether the proposed approach is right for our district.”

At the meeting the council will discuss issues including the pace, timeline and integration of the proposal with other significant reforms; the proposal’s implication for emissions reduction, regenerative approaches and carbon accounting; and fiscal and technical modelling.

Councillor Niamh Shaw said feedback from 224 locals, taken informally via an online ‘community pulse check’, will be taken into account when the council creates a ‘position statement’ on the proposed reform.

Councillor Niamh Shaw is uncomfortable about the speed of the reform, and the proposed governance arrangement.

Niamh said she was concerned about the “rampaging speed” of the Three Waters proposal, adding that the quality of information and engagement by central government had, in her opinion, been “really poor”. 

She was also “incredibly uncomfortable” with the proposed governance arrangement.

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss council’s position and shape its future involvement in the reform process, however it was not a formal opt-in or opt-out decision.

“The request from government for feedback on the reform is optional and councils have not been asked for any formal decisions about continued participation in the reform programme at this stage,” he said.

“Councillors will be considering the government’s latest proposal and information on the reform, including data and modelling that council has received to date, as well as the implications of the proposed reform on community wellbeing.”

The meeting will take place at 1pm and will be live streamed on the QLDC Facebook page.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App