DIA releases reports- proposed future of Three Waters reform programme
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has released a suite of reports on its economic analysis of water services aggregation.
The DIA has previously commissioned the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) to provide data modelling which underpins the DIA’s proposed rationalisation of Three Waters assets nationally.
Peer reviews of the WICS data modelling are included in the suite of reports released today.
Currently Hurunui District Council (HDC) delivers Three Waters services (Drinking Water, Wastewater and Storm Water) throughout the district.
Chief Executive Officer for HDC Hamish Dobbie said the Council entered into a voluntary process with the DIA, and provided detailed information about Council’s Three Water assets.
“We continue to value the Government’s open and voluntary approach to this reform process. This release of the suite of DIA reports is an important step in understanding the national picture, and will in due course assist our community decision making.”
Mayor Marie Black added that these reports are more aligned with a high level view of New Zealand’s Three Waters assets, but as time goes on more Hurunui-specific information will be available.
“Once we have more localised information, we will be looking forward to engaging with our community about the future of Three Waters, and what they would like to see.”
THREE WATERS BACKGROUND
In August 2020, HDC Councillors voted in favour of signing a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) and separate Funding Agreement under which, HDC will receive part of the $761 million of COVID-19 funding from Central Government to be spent on the Three Waters and support economic recovery.
Under the agreements, is receiving $7.5 million to upgrade its Three Waters assets. In return it will provide the Government with more details of its Three Waters operations and assets, and engage with the Government on its proposal for future Three Waters services.
STUFF article that was published this afternoon: