Councillors say water reforms unclear

Lack of clarity about the implications of the Government’s reforms of water, wastewater and stormwater systems is causing frustration among Dunedin city councillors.

Absence of detailed information loomed large in discussions at a Dunedin City Council meeting yesterday.

Cr Carmen Houlahan said it was unclear how priorities for work would be established once new regional water entities had taken over activities from councils, whether councils would be compensated for loss of assets, how their debt would be treated and whether water metering would be brought in for residents.

It was particularly unclear what would happen to management of stormwater.

Cr David Benson-Pope said repeated assurances about public ownership of the water entities made him increasingly nervous, as it was not clear what was meant.

Cr Jim O’Malley suggested the case had not been adequately made about why councils should be stripped of assets.

Councils not being able to get on top of necessary upgrades and burgeoning costs have been cited as reasons to pursue reforms.

Cr O’Malley highlighted transport infrastructure was too costly for councils to provide without assistance, but this had not prompted the Government to take over local roads.

City council infrastructure services general manager Simon Drew said it would be a challenge for the sector to work through the reforms and deliver necessary upgrades.

Cr Houlahan said the Department of Internal Affairs promised almost a year ago there would be answers at some point.

"This far on, I am quite disheartened there are so many questions without answers."

The situation is expected to become clearer in the next three months.

Mayors, councillors and senior staff of Otago and Southland councils have been invited to a workshop with Internal Affairs staff on Friday.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz

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