Hutt City Residents Urged To Have Say On Water

Hutt City Mayor John Terris is urging residents to make a submission on the proposal to cooperatively manage Wellington and Hutt City’s water services.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 18 November.

“We want the benefit of residents’ views before we make decisions on whether to go ahead with the proposal,” said Mayor Terris.

The two local authorities are proposing to create a single, combined unit to manage water services (water supply, sewerage and stormwater) for both cities. The objectives of the unit are to provide better levels of service to residents through: · sharing network and industry knowledge and expertise · better long-term planning; improved emergency planning · adopting the best management practices from each Council.

“Each Council would continue to own and control water services and assets within their respective cities and would still set policies, charges and service levels.”

The unit would be overseen by a Board of Governors made up of Councillors and community representatives, which would be responsible to both Councils and could only act on policies set by the Councils.

It is expected the unit would deliver savings to the Councils of around $4 million over five years and then $1.6 million each year after that.

“We have pretty much reached the limit for driving cost savings out of the existing structure,” said Mayor Terris.

“Both Councils already have very efficient water services and believe that cooperatively managing these services is now the best way to deliver cost savings while maintaining or exceeding current water quality standards.”

Both Councils are hopeful that, once the unit is up and running, other councils in the region will consider adding their services to the unit.

Information and consultation material is available online at either www.wcc.govt.nz or www.huttcity.govt.nz and at libraries and service centres in both cities.

Submissions can be made in writing using the form provided in the consultation brochure, or online at either Council's website. Additional copies of the brochure are available from Wellington City Council by calling 499 4444 or from Hutt City Council on 570 6666.

People can present their written submissions at a hearing of Councillors in Wellington on 19 November or in Hutt City on 21 November. To arrange a time people should phone 801 3681 for Wellington or 570 6957 for Hutt City.

© Scoop Media