Public Meeting On Water Privatisation

North Shore residents concerned at the prospect of the privatisation of their ratepayer-owned water services under the Auckland super-city are invited to attend a public meeting to express their views, North Shore City Councillor Tony Holman said today.

“The super-city hands our water assets, built up over the years by North Shore ratepayers, over to a revamped Watercare company run by a board appointed directly from Wellington. When coupled with new legislation that will allow water assets to be handed over to private companies for up to 35 years, it is no wonder North Shore people are worried,” Councillor Holman said.

“An overwhelming 89 percent of North Shore ratepayers said that the supply of water should remain in public council ownership and not be privatized, in a poll conducted in July last year by Colmar Brunton. Despite this crystal clear message to the decision makers in Wellington, the North Shore has been ignored.”

“Over many years, the North Shore City Council has stressed the need for continued public ownership of water infrastructure and has therefore directly opposed privatization. It has used its direct control to keep water charges fairly stable for nearly seven years now.”

“North Shore residents are already facing an increase in their water bills resulting from the government requiring the new Watercare company to adopt volumetric charging, and the inevitable rationalization of water tariffs across the region. Handing our water assets over to private sector interests will simply add another layer of cost as they gouge out profits for their shareholders,” Councillor Holman said.

Councillor Holman urged all those who wish to express their concerns over water privatisation to join the effort to keep water assets in public hands and attend the rally.

Meeting details:

When: Saturday 12 June 2010 starting at 11.30 am

Where: The concourse, North Shore City Council building, The Strand, Takapuna (if raining: RSA Hall, adjacent to the Concourse)

ENDS.

© Scoop Media