Westland council presents plan for 'water reform that works'

• Published date: 20 April 2022
• Publication title: West Coast Messenger, The

The mayors presented their 10-point plan for reform to the Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, and Department of Internal Affairs officials, as well as Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw, and Green MP Eugenie Sage. The group had already presented its models to the National Party and Act

"I am very grateful that Westland was ably represented by Deputy Mayor Carruthers and Cr Martin at the meeting," says Mayor Bruce Smith. "They took the opportunity to communicate our stance to ministers that the Westland district community does not support the reform in its current form, but we are willing to compromise to work towards the goals of the reform.

"Our community knows that this council has made progress in providing clean and safe drinking water to the district and in developing better solutions for wastewater. Over the past five years we have built three new water treatment plants, and implemented improvements at the others and have a new facility under way to replace the plant at Fox Glacier.

"When Hokitika's new wastewater treatment plant is completed, we can be proud that it will be an environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive solution, which council developed in meaningful partnership with manawhenua. No one has made us to this, but we know that it's the right thing to do, not only for our iwi partners but all of the community. We think this should show central government that local councils don't have to be forced to work in partnership with local iwi, but that we will choose to when the opportunity arises," Mr Smith said.

"We want to continue to send a very clear message to the Government - Councils know that there are improvements to be made in the delivery of three waters and we are willing to work on compromises. However, our communities need to be reassured that the infrastructure that they have paid for over generations will remain in their control. The councils involved in Communities for Local Democracy are willing to do the right thing by our communities, we just need to be given the opportunity to do so."

Manawatu District Mayor and C4LD chairwoman Helen Worboys said that the group is keen to work with all parties to ensure any reforms have the broad base of support needed for major long-term infrastructure investment.

"The proposals we've brought to the table enable the Government to deliver on all its aims, create opportunities for strong and lasting partnerships and deliver safe, sustainable and...