Water reform roils local government waateanews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from waateanews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
National and the Greens think the government may force all councils to join its Three Waters reforms to make them effective.
National Party local government spokesperson Chris Luxon says if enough councils pull out of the reforms it will leave a patchwork quilt of water management across the country, rendering the reforms useless.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
The government on Wednesday announced details of its proposed reforms for the so-called Three Waters - drinking, waste and storm water.
It would move management of those systems from the hands of 67 councils into four big regional water authorities run by boards appointed with input from councils and with expertise in water infrastructure, and with treaty partnership on oversight.
Nanaia Mahuta outlines Three Waters fix for system in crisis
Nanaia Mahuta outlines Three Waters fix for system in crisis Wed, 30 Jun 2021, 12:07PM
The Government has unveiled proposals to move the ownership and management of water infrastructure from local councils and into the hands of four water services agencies, split regionally.
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta released the long-signalled Three Waters decisions today, saying the move on drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure would save ratepayers money.
It would also result in better, safer services, and help ensure that the expected $120 billion to $185b in investment over the next 30 years could be made.
Three waters, 67 councils, little agreement msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.