5 May 2005

Communities will benefit from new drinking water funding

Local Government New Zealand welcomes the Government’s Drinking Water Subsidy Fund of $136.9 million over the next ten years to improve the country’s drinking water systems and ultimately the health of our communities.

The Fund was announced today by Local Government Minister, Hon Chris Carter, at Local Government New Zealand’s combined Zone Five and Six meeting in Christchurch.

“We are extremely pleased with today’s announcement, it shows a real commitment from the Government to assist councils to provide this crucial service,” says Local Government New Zealand’s President Basil Morrison.

“Councils have been asking for extra funding to assist them to meet the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards for some time. This announcement will come as welcome relief to all councils, particularly those with low rating bases who are trying to provide quality drinking water with very little funding.

“The overall emphasis of this funding package is on the health and well-being of our communities and ensuring that councils have the funding available to them to continue providing drinking water of the highest quality to our cities, towns and rural areas,” said Mr Morrison.

This funding package is a vital step towards ensuring New Zealanders are supplied with clean, fresh water, regardless of where they live.

For further information about the funding package see www.beehive.govt.nz

ENDS

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