Waitaki District Council Welcomes Crown Intervention for Water Plan

The Waitaki District Council has accepted government intervention to assist in the resubmission of its water management plan, following concerns raised over the adequacy of its previous proposal. Former minister Amy Adams has been appointed to guide the council through this process, with a deadline set for June 2024.

During a meeting on October 10, councillors expressed their unease regarding the timing of Adams’ appointment, which was announced before the induction of the newly-elected council. Mayor Melanie Tavendale emphasized the council’s commitment to providing affordable and sustainable water services for the community. “We are a small council but we know our community and infrastructure, and strongly feel we need to be a guiding part of the solution,” she stated.

The council initially participated in the Southern Waters partnership but withdrew in July, opting to manage its water services internally. Following this decision, the council began hosting weekly workshops to develop its standalone plan. By August, the Department of Internal Affairs indicated that the council’s independent plan contained significant deficiencies that could lead to further intervention.

In the recent meeting, the council learned that most aspects of its revised plan met regulatory requirements, although one category focused on asset condition was identified as potentially non-compliant. The department’s review highlighted two areas for discussion and confirmed that three components of the plan satisfied legislative criteria, pending further dialogue. This analysis will soon be published by the department.

Council Chief Executive Alex Parmley noted that staff are working diligently to present a proposal for an asset review at the next council meeting. “If carried out, this should resolve the one part of the plan which the DIA panel judged not to meet the legislative requirements,” he explained.

The council has decided to expedite an analysis of its water asset condition using existing resources. It aims to identify the necessary funding to fulfill the department’s requirements within a month. This proactive approach reflects the council’s determination to address the issues surrounding its water management and demonstrate its ability to meet community needs effectively.