Consultation on Council’s preferred option for the future of water services delivery ran from 14 April to 12 May 2025.
We asked the public if it supported Council's preferred option – a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) involving six other local Councils (Waikato Water Done Well). There were 54 submissions in total – 53 online and one paper submission. Of these, seven were in favour of Council's preferred option and 46 opposed, with one submission unclear.
“We acknowledge this is an important kaupapa and we need to make the right decision, not only for our generation, but for our tamariki and mokopuna to come,” Mayor Gary Petley said. “We saw some passionate opinions on both sides, and some robust feedback.”
The submissions Council received included acknowledgement that the preferred option would allow Council to meet Central Government’s requirements and enable it to fund infrastructure. There were also concerns around a number of issues – affordability in the short term, ownership of infrastructure, impact on employment in the District and representation of individual Councils at the new organisation.
What’s next?
Council will decide on the inclusion of the preferred option in its Water Delivery Service Plan at the full Council meeting on 25 June.
“We will take into account feedback from the dozens who have made submissions while also considering the impact of the decision on the 25,000 people who live in our District,” Petley said.
The Mayor said Council would consider issues such as short-term affordability for residents and long- term ability to afford the renewal of assets.
The Water Delivery Service Plan will then be put to Council on 30 July. The deadline for councils to submit their Local Water Done Well Water Services Delivery Plans to the Department of Internal Affairs is 3 September 2025.
