South Waikato Water Services Delivery Plan gets tick of approval

The South Waikato District Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan has this week been given the go-ahead from the Secretary for Local Government, as part of a unanimous approval process for all seven of the Waikato Waters Ltd shareholding councils.

The Water Services Delivery Plans were a significant requirement under the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation, requiring councils to clarify how they would proceed to deliver water and wastewater services into the future.

South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said the ease in which the plan was signed off serves as further proof that Council made the right decision in joining Waikato Waters Ltd.

“Our Water Services Delivery Plan met all of the statutory requirements, including financial sustainability and affordability, which none of the other options we considered for the future of water services delivery did,” Petley said.

“Receiving this tick of approval for the plan is another significant milestone in our transition from Council delivering drinking and wastewater services, to being a member of a Council-Controlled Organisation that’s entirely focused on those services as its one and only core business.”

The Water Services Delivery Plans reflect the decisions made by each council to transfer their water and wastewater assets and services to Waikato Waters Ltd – Waipā, Waitomo and South Waikato from 1 July 2026, Matamata-Piako on 1 October 2026 and Ōtorohanga and Hauraki on 1 July 2027.

Taupō District Council will initially establish a standalone business unit under its Water Services Delivery Plan and will remain a shareholder of Waikato Waters Ltd. Their Water Services Delivery Plan will be reviewed in two years.

Local Government Minister Simon Watts commended the councils for what he called an "unprecedented and impressive collaborative effort".

“Accepted today, the Waikato Water Done Well plan will combine water services for over 130,000 people in the Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā and Waitomo District Council areas," he said.

“With Taupō District Council as a shareholder in Waikato Water Done Well, there is an opportunity to achieve efficiencies for a further 40,000+ people in the coming years. I’m encouraged Taupō is taking advantage of shared services and is open to joining the CCO as benefits are realised."

Water Services Delivery Plans are a legislative requirement for councils, requiring them to show how they are going to meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and be financially sustainable in delivery of waters services.

The process required each council to complete a WSDP by 3 September and then submit it to DIA for review before being formally approved.

Water Services Delivery Plans can be viewed on each council’s website.