Three Waters legislation takes next step forward

Central government’s three waters legislation took the next step forward earlier this month with the Select Committee review of the Water Services Entities Bill completed and recommendations published.

Ōpōtiki District Council Deputy Mayor, Shone Browne, said that it was heartening to see that the committee received over 80,000 submissions, including one from Council.

“We put forward a very strong submission to the select committee earlier this year and it was co-signed by our iwi partners who had their own concerns about what co-governance would mean when joined into four mega-entities.

“There are a few changes proposed through the select committee process, including changes to the reporting lines and audit requirements. But it appears that overall there will be little change to the intent and content of the bill - the formation of four artificial Water Entities that will pick up the day to day running of our water infrastructure.

“We have fought for our local voice throughout this process and we’ll continue to talk with anyone who will listen, either on our own, or through the combined voice of Communities 4 Local Democracy - He hapori mo te Manapori,” the Deputy Mayor said.

Government will now consider the select committee’s recommendations before the bill returns to the full house for debate and a final vote.