The public’s views on Council’s preferred option for the future of water services in Marlborough are being sought from today.

The Government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) policy aims to address New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges. The reforms place a strong emphasis on financial sustainability, including new ring-fencing rules that require financial separation from Council’s other functions and activities. LWDW is also designed to meet new economic, environmental and water quality regulations, and support housing growth and urban development.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said, like the rest of the country, Marlborough faced major challenges in paying for and building its water infrastructure.

“Although Council has invested significantly in recent years, there is still much more to be done. Demand is increasing and many water assets are approaching their end of life.”

“Almost all our townships need, or will need in the future, upgrades to pipelines, pump stations, wells and, in Picton’s case, a dam, while treatment plant upgrades are required in Blenheim, Havelock, Riverlands and Awatere. Wastewater upgrades are needed in Blenheim, Havelock, Riverlands, Seddon and Renwick. A significant proportion of Picton’s and Blenheim’s stormwater assets have an expected life of less than 10 years.”

“Council’s preferred option is to set up a Council-owned water services organisation which has a much greater financial capacity to meet our long-term future investment needs and an ability to drive cost efficiencies.”

“Costs could be spread over a longer period of time leading to lower water charges when compared to retaining water services internally, improving intergenerational equity. Council would be its sole shareholder and would appoint its board of directors and set its direction via a binding Statement of Expectations, holding it accountable to the people of Marlborough,” Mayor Taylor said.

The public are invited to give their feedback online at https://links.marlborough.govt.nz/haveyoursay from today until 8am on 26 May.

A detailed consultation document explains the background and how the options were assessed, and also presents an alternative Option 2, which is an internal water services unit at Council.

“This decision is one of the most important we as a community will need to make this decade. I encourage you to read the consultation document carefully and tell us what you think about how Marlborough’s water services should be delivered,” she said.

There is also supporting information about the LWDW requirements and process, including a video of the councillors’ discussion and decision last week. Go to www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/utilities/local-water-done-well

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