Kaipara District Council has completed its deliberations on the future delivery model for water services, following community consultation as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) legislation.

After reviewing feedback from 66 submitters, including businesses, organisations, and individuals, elected members agreed to pursue a multi-council controlled organisation as its priority model for water and wastewater services. This approach also received the strongest support from the community, with 60% of submissions favouring a collaborative Northland-wide effort to deliver infrastructure, maintenance, and service delivery for waters. Alternative options considered included a shared service contract model with one or more councils, and an in-house business model.

Kaipara District Council Mayor Craig Jepson says collaborating with the other Northland councils is necessary.

"Reliable water services are important for our communities, so we need to make smart choices that keep them as affordable as possible and running smoothly for the long haul," said Mayor Jepson.

"We know the cost of delivering water services is going to increase but we need to be in a position where we not only maintain efficient and affordable services but still maintain our community input on how these are managed.

Representatives of Kaipara District Council are working alongside elected representatives from other Northland councils through a Local Water Done Well Working Group, with the goal of further investigating collaborative opportunities for water service delivery.

Kaipara District Council Chief Executive Jason Marris said the decision today means staff will be working to finalise the Water Services Delivery Plan within the legislative timeframes.

“We're working closely with our Northland counterparts to support the working group in shaping a path forward. The decision today provides a good step to achieve what our community has signalled.”

Read more about Local Water Done Well at: Water Services Policy and Legislation - dia.govt.nz

View the council discussion and decision on the Kaipara District Council YouTube channel (from 1:03:41).

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