Waimakariri residents want council to ‘opt-out’ of the Government’s three waters reform

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Thousands of Waimakariri residents want the council to opt out of the Government’s three waters reform, with 95 per cent who responded to a survey on the issue saying they wanted services to be managed locally.

Under the proposed reforms, control of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure would transfer from 67 councils nationwide to four new independent entities.

One entity would cover 21 South Island councils, including all of Canterbury.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said quality drinking water and better environmental outcomes were essential, and the council did not accept the premise there was only one way to achieve this.

The Waimakariri District Council received more than 3800 submissions and just over 95 per cent stated they wanted the council to “opt-out” of the proposed reform.

Respondents wanted the three waters service “to be managed, built and operated locally by people who understand our area”.

The council will decide on the formal response that will be given to the Government at a meeting on September 28.