City rejects private water idea
March 12, 2009

North Shore City Council has strongly opposed any moves to privatise the city’s or the Auckland region’s water supply and wastewater disposal systems.

Chairman of the city’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee, Ken McKay, says he won’t be attending Rodney Hide’s meeting called for next week, which he sees as a possible precursor to a discussion about privatisation.

Cr McKay says overseas experience with the privatisation of water has not always brought the best results, and he is concerned that the profit motive can override the emphasis on service and quality that is well established in New Zealand.

He says the provision of potable water supplies and the efficient and safe treatment and disposal of sewage is the most important function that a council can provide. It’s the reason we enjoy good health and longevity in this and other developed countries, he says.

“It is absolutely vital that we keep these services in public hands. It is clear that when put in private hands short cuts occur, and profit comes before service. In North Shore City we provide water and wastewater disposal services at a very reasonable rate, enough to cover capital development costs and maintenance, and the water supply is of very high quality,” says Cr McKay.

A resolution strongly opposing any form of privatisation or public/private partnership of the city’s or region’s water supply was passed at this week’s Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting.

ENDS

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