Mayors Memo

 

Kia ora, While the winter wet is upon us, here are a couple of things getting me a bit fired up recently. Water services all across New Zealand are under the pump.

In a surprise announcement, the Government is proposing the biggest shake-up in local government since the amalgamations of the late 1980s. Sweeping c hanges to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater organisation are proposed for these “3 Waters”. New water utility companies are proposed - to be crossregional in size and scale and amalgamating the water assets and functions from local councils. For Kaipara as far as we know this may mean our water services would get tipped into a new entity stretching from Cape Reinga to the Bombay Hills.

Residents in Te Kopuru would be on the same water billing system as residents in Te Atatu, Auckland. It’s early days for discussion between Government and all the councils of New Zealand, not without tension. As far as we know waterrelated assets, liabilities, or work programmes would be removed from the balance sheet of Council – about 30% of activity.

While the stream of information is flowing fast it’s hard to fathom what “3 Waters” changes could mean for Kaipara residents and ratepayers, and this review is due to gather speed over coming weeks. We’ll keep you informed of what we know, but be assured that while this proposal signals change no-one is about to turn off the taps and the water will continue to flow. Part of the ebb and flow of democracy is the right for citizens to choose how they are represented. Every six years a Representation Review happens for Kaipara District Council.

Starting in April 2018, the current Rep Review has already been gathering informal feedback from the community (thanks to those who contributed) and a proposal is on the Council agenda this week. The report proposes the same number (8) of Councillors across 4 wards rather than the 3 we have now. With two Councillors for each ward, the proposal includes ward boundary changes – the creation of a new Mangawhai-Kaiwaka ward; Otamatea ward from Brynderwyn to Tokatoka; a western ward from Tokatoka onwards to Tangiteroria and Waipoua; and Dargaville with unchanged ward boundaries.

Taking account of growth in Kaipara District and the clear community voice from the last Representation Review which called for no additional Councillors, we’re confident there’ll be good interest in this new look proposal.

Once Council makes a decision on the proposal, I look forward to hearing from you on this, at community information events or through the public consultation ahead. I predict across Kaipara there’ll be a lot of poring over maps while it’s pouring with rain outside.

Take your time on the roads through these wettest weeks. Let’s all look forward to sharing spring soon.

Nga mihi nui, Jason Smith