Support Pours In For Ashburton’s Inhouse Water Proposal

Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 5:20 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

The community appears to be on board with the proposed future of Ashburton's water services.

Ashburton District Council is proposing a stand-alone business unit to deliver its three water services in the future, under the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.

The other option is a Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO), something similar to Ashburton Contracting Ltd – the civil and roading contracting company wholly owned by the council.

Democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said of the 220 submissions received, the majority supported the council's proposal.

There were 187 submissions (85%) supporting the stand-alone business unit (SABU) compared to 20 submissions (9%) supporting the WSSCCO, Durham said.

The other 13 submissions (6%) either didn’t know, proposed an alternative or didn’t select an option.

“Common themes include wanting to retain strong local control and accountability of our district's water infrastructure, satisfaction with the current council's management and operation of water services, and viewing SABU as the most cost-effective option.”

Three submitters indicated they wished to speak to their submission in person at the hearings, Durham said.

Hearings will take place on May 15 and be followed by council deliberations, with decision report going to the council meeting on May 21.

The decision will determine the model used in the council's Water Service Delivery Plan it has to submit to the Government by September 3.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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