A milestone has been achieved for Tasman District’s future management of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services, with Elected Members endorsing a new Water Services Delivery Plan.

The plan will guide an in-house business unit that will implement the requirements of the Government’s Local Water Done Well programme.

This unit will be managed separately from other Council operations in a ringfenced capacity. While still part of the Council, it would be independently monitored to ensure high environmental and customer standards, as set by Taumata Arowai and the Commerce Commission. 

The Minister of Local Government granted an extension to the deadline for presentation of the plan because of the mid-winter flood emergency – it must now be presented by 1 October.

Following submission of the plan, a DIA assessment panel will look at the plan and potentially ask further questions or request additional information.

All going well, recommendations will be made to the Secretary of Local Government with likely notification before Christmas.

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