Auckland City Council - City Scene

A review of Metrowater

City Councillors devoted a great deal of time at their meeting on August 4 considering the future of Metrowater, the Council's Local Authority Trading Enterprise (LATE).

During the time to hear deputations, councillors were addressed by Jim Gladwin and Penny Bright of the Water Pressure Group who asked that Metrowater be abolished, and waste water charges form part of rates bills.

They were followed by Dean Hamilton who expressed concerns about the company's disconnection activities, and also asked that Metrowater be abolished.

Rose Hollands expressed concern that the council's proposed rebate scheme for low income citizens was not sufficient to address their needs, nor was the scheme aimed at the most needy cases.

During the debate which followed, it was agreed that council should adopt an active role in addressing social equity issues arising from the impact of waste water charges. Councillors approved in principle a formula for rates rebates costing $1.5 million, with details of how the scheme should operate to be the subject of a further report.

It also agreed that central government should urgently consider additional funding of $1.03 million for water and waste water for fully and partly funded government institutions.

Further details of Metrowater's new tariffs and their effects on customers will be covered in future issues of City Scene.

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