With a crucial September 4 deadline approaching, when councils must submit future water services provisions to the government, the council voted unanimously to enter into the Otago-Southland Joint Group of Councils’ commitment agreement. This formalises the process of investigating a potential council-controlled organisation (CCO) for water services.
This decision follows the introduction of new government legislation last year, which repealed the Three Waters laws introduced by the previous Labour government. While the council has not yet agreed to establish a joint water CCO, it has committed to investigating the option.
Council chief executive Alex Parmley clarified the council was not committing to a joint entity but rather to exploring it as a possibility. Director of support services Paul Hope emphasised the complexity of the situation, as the enabling legislation for the Water Done Well initiative was still in development. However, he described the decision to investigate the regional CCO as "relatively straightforward".
The Clutha and Gore councils have already expressed support for the proposal, and Central Otago is expected to make its decision today.
Mr Hope noted, with the September deadline fast approaching, the next steps must be taken quickly to ensure the formulation of a possible entity.
"We need to keep this moving so we can declare a joint water services delivery plan," he said.
In addition to the southern group discussions, Waitaki is in talks with South Canterbury councils — Mackenzie, Waimate, and Timaru — about joining the initiative. Timaru is set to consider the proposal at its next council meeting.
Mayor Gary Kircher highlighted the synergy between the southern councils and South Canterbury, noting similar population profiles and an urban-rural mix.
Mr Parmley stressed the need to finalise the partnership with South Canterbury "pretty quickly". If South Canterbury councils choose to join, the partnership agreement will be brought back to the Waitaki council for approval.
Concerns were raised by Cr Tim Blackler regarding the implications of the commitment agreement for the future "preferred option" for a regional water services entity. He questioned whether the council would be obliged to accept a particular proposal without first consulting the community.
Mr Hope responded that the commitment agreement was simply a first step to move the process forward, and public consultation would still be required.
Mr Parmley confirmed any final decision would be made by the council after public consultation. The current legislation outlines two options, but a new Bill moving through Parliament could introduce a third option. He emphasised the commitment was to take the proposal seriously without making a final commitment at this stage.
Further discussions are expected at next month’s council meeting, where the potential water services delivery options will be reviewed. These include an in-house option, a stand-alone CCO, or the current joint CCO proposal, pending public consultation.
Mr Kircher noted that while the South Canterbury councils still had time to join the southern group, the window for Southland was closing due to the tight timeframe.
