A submission sharing Whakatāne District Council’s feedback on the Government’s Three Waters Reform has been sent to Local Government Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta.
The submission outlines the Council’s questions, concerns and potential solutions and has been developed following eight weeks of analysis and workshops to understand the Three Waters Reform proposal and its implications for the District and its communities.
The development of the submission also took into account the result of conversations with the district’s Iwi Chairs and Chief Executives and the comments received from those who responded to Council’s call for community feedback.
Approximately 220 responses were provided by members of the community within the feedback timeframe.
Councillors also received a large volume of emails in the 48 hours prior to yesterday’s Extraordinary meeting facilitated by an online platform.
Identified concerns included the timing of the Three Waters Reform within Governments wider reform package; the governance model of the proposed water Entity; cost and service impacts on the district’s communities; effects on private water supplies and suppliers; and the lack of adequate consultation
with Iwi and community.
Mayor Judy Turner concluded the message to the Minister by noting an eagerness in awaiting the next steps, and reiterating the rigorous process Council had taken to analyse the complex information provided in a sincere endeavor to achieve the best outcomes for the district and its people.
A copy of the full submission is available here