Mayors and council bosses across Otago and Southland have collectively called for a pause on the Three Waters reform programme.

They've written to minister of local government Nanaia Mahuta to formally request more time to allow councils to engage with their communities on the reform - a three-year programme launched by the government in 2020 to reform local government’s three water service delivery arrangements.

“I am pleased that the leaders of the southern councils have voiced their concerns about the information and timeframes associated and the importance of consulting with our communities,” Queenstown Lakes District (QDLC) councillor Quentin Smith told the Wanaka App.

Billions of dollars of funding is needed for essential upgrades to drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services - the ‘three waters’ - across New Zealand, to meet new health and environmental standards.

The government is proposing the management of all councils' water services be transferred to four publicly-owned entities, beginning July 1, 2024, but the ownership of the infrastructure would remain in councils' hands.  

Councils currently have until December to make a decision to opt in or opt out, and they are expected to give feedback on the proposals by October 1.

Read more: In or Out on Three Waters reform: QLDC yet to decide

Civic leaders of ‘Zone 6’ (which spans Southland, Gore, Queenstown, Central Otago, Waitaki and Clutha district councils, Invercargill and Dunedin City councils, and Otago and Southland's regional councils) have now formally indicated to the minister that this is not enough time, especially as they are “knee-deep” in resource management reform and a review into the future for local government. 

“I support the ‘press pause’ and ensuring any decision is an informed one for our councils and our communities,” Quentin said. “The QLDC mayor signed this letter with support of the council.”

Chair of the zone 6 group, Clutha mayor Bryan Cadogan, said: "This is the biggest decision of our lifetimes, and we need more time to consult with our communities."

"The mayors and chairs of Zone 6 ask that the government pause the reform process to allow communities sufficient time to better understand the significant amount of complex information on which the government has based its case for change and to allow councils to engage with our communities about it.”

Rushing the engagement process will not provide for good decision-making, he said.

The minister has linked years of underinvestment in Three Waters infrastructure by the country’s 67 councils with outbreaks of deadly bacteria in drinking water; lead contamination; regular boil-water notifications; and poorly treated wastewater running into freshwater streams and lakes.

But Bryan said councils have to focus on priority spending, without increasing council rates and charges beyond what people can afford to pay.

PHOTO: Wanaka App