In less than two years’ time Central Otago ratepayers may be receiving their first water bill from a new central government entity, after handing over water assets currently owned by them through the Central Otago District Council (CODC).

Legislation is already going through parliament in preparation for the government’s Three Waters reforms, due to be actioned by July 1, 2024. 

It is aimed at improving and upgrading water quality and services, some of which have long been neglected, across the country.

Many people agree improvements are needed but object to the way these are being planned.

The CODC’s elected members will be refining a submission to parliament on the changes next week. 

Councillors would express the local communities views, CODC infrastructure services executive manager Julie Muir said.

“The tone of the submission will reflect the views of the council, which is that our community doesn’t want it (3 waters reform): If we have to have it, these are our views,” she said.

At a council meeting last week members agreed that a submission to the Water Services Entities Bill be drafted, circulated to councillors for feedback and finalised prior to July 22, the closing date of the Bill which is now before select committee at parliament.

This Bill will establish the four entities – one for most of the South Island - that will provide water, wastewater, and stormwater services in place of councils.

The Bill contains the ownership, governance, and accountability arrangements for the new entities, and the arrangements that will be put in place during the transition period over the next two years, according to a council media statement.   

It’s the first in an expected package of legislation, with more coming soon that will provide details of the transfer of assets and liabilities from councils to the new entities. New legislation is also created to outline the specific responsibilities that will be handed to the entities and how they manage pricing, economic regulation and consumer protection regimes.

The Bill currently going through Parliament covers the transfer of employment of staff (excluding senior managers) who predominantly work in the water activities from councils to the new entities. Of specific interest was the requirement for the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to oversee council’s agendas, and decisions relating to water activities during the transition period, Julie said.

A number of organisations that council was affiliated to were preparing submissions on behalf of local government organisations.

“The Otago and Southland councils have also agreed to share their submission to assist each other in providing feedback to government on what is a large and complex bill, which will have significant implications on our communities.”

Meanwhile council recently received two petitions on the matter from lobby groups requesting a binding referendum be held on the reforms. Because the changes have already been decided upon and are being actioned by central government, it was not seen as a useful or constructive action for council to take.

The petitioners also wanted council to stop paying membership to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), a national body that supports councils as a parent organisation.

CODC mayor Tim Cadogan told viewers on his weekly video broadcast that after October’s local body elections representatives from LGNZ would be invited to come and explain how they have dealt with the reforms and the benefits to the region of membership.