August 10 2021
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Water plan may bring major change u by Paul Campbell
A massive debt reduction and major infrastructure changes are an anticipated consequence for Kaipara under the government’s proposed Three Waters approach to ownership and governance of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Kaipara Kai comes to a halt
The Kaipara Kai project financed through a grant …
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K-pop’s Dargaville connection A group of five Dargaville High School students are making their television debut this week …
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Climate change document discussed
Following news that the Northland Regional Council has adopted a strategy to combat climate change …
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“The Three Waters Reforms are taking shape and revealing some new details for Kaipara District Council and the people of Kaipara District, only 25% of whom are connected to town drinking water supplies, one of the lowest percentages in New Zealand,” says Mayor Jason Smith. ”If the reforms proceed, then indications are that council would have $52 million of debt removed from its books associated with Three Waters infrastructure. After it is removed, the remaining debt is estimated to be around $4 million for work done on the last District Plan. “It would also surrender to a very large new entity, assets valued at $133 million, approximately 20% of our balance sheet and waters’ staff would also transfer. ”The government has offered $16.7 million of grant money to KDC for projects of choice to improve the wellbeing of Kaipara people if KDC decides to surrender its assets and ‘opt-in’ to the reforms. The grant is not available if we were to opt-out. ”If the government proposals proceed, then Kaipara’s waters assets will be added to those of Entity A, a new grouping of the three Northland councils plus Auckland with the city having 94% of the assets and Kaipara less than one per cent.” Dr Smith adds that a Representative Governance Group is proposed to help appoint the commercial board of Entity A. “Based on current numbers and government’s intentions for a group of 10–12 people, there may be one person from a Northland council in this group
with Kaipara unlikely to be represented due to our small size. It’s expected under the proposal that, in Entity A, 90% of Māori and council reps combined would be from Auckland.” Cabinet papers show the Minister of Finance will be responsible for the four proposed new water entities across New Zealand. ”For now, Whangārei District Council has opted-out of the proposed reforms. Far North District Council is leaning away from the proposed Entity A model, and so is Auckland Council. Both are considering new approaches to the proposed model to retain council autonomy and ownership of assets. As the smallest council of the four, we’re watching closely what our neighbours do as this affects us too. “It is expected there will be public consultation on any decisions later in the year. In the meantime, KDC currently has many unanswered questions and is proceeding with caution until matters p Mayor Jason Smith — still unanswered questions are clearer. We’ll keep you updated as new information comes to a small Three Waters infrastructure us. In summary Kaipara District Council system, which is 100% governed by local currently owns, on behalf of its ratepayers, elected members,” Dr Smith said. ¢
2021
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