The council earlier this month formally accepted the appointment of former minister for the environment Amy Adams to oversee the revision of its Water Services Delivery Plan, after the government ruled the original "suboptimal".
Her role will cost the district $1600 per day — a charge the council had hoped could be reduced or shared.
Waitaki Mayor Melanie Tavendale said she had raised concerns about the cost with Local Government Minister Simon Watts but to no avail.
In a statement, Mr Watts was unequivocal.
"While I appreciate the financial challenges the council is facing, it is the council’s responsibility to address these challenges and to deliver on their statutory obligations, for the benefit of their community and to meet the associated costs.
"Having the council meet the costs associated with the Crown facilitator is line with the relevant legislation — the Water Services (Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 which in turn is consistent with approach set out in the Local Government Act 2002 for ministerial intervention."
The $1600 daily fee was a fixed rate set under the Cabinet fees framework, he said, and was appropriate given the "functions, complexity and high-profile nature" of the job.
The appointment offered value for money because of the role’s importance in ensuring the district produced a financially sustainable and legally compliant plan, he said.
The appointment stems from the government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.
Under the legislation, councils’ plans must meet strict financial and service-level requirements.
Waitaki’s original plan fell short, sparking the ministerial intervention.
Ms Adams officially began her role on November 10 and her appointment was set to run until June 30, 2026, unless extended.
During that time she will oversee an assessment of the condition, lifespan and value of the district’s water assets — work the council did not budget for.
At the council’s first full meeting since October’s elections, councillors agreed to accept the facilitator, while expressing concern about the late notice of the intervention, the obligation to work "in good faith" and the financial burden.
Mr Watts said the facilitator would help ensure the asset assessment met required standards and that the revised plan considered all available options, including possible changes to delivery models — this could include collaboration with neighbouring councils.
He noted Waitaki already had discussions under way with Timaru District Council to investigate efficiencies and possible cost-sharing opportunities.
