August 31 2021
Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
10,450 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara
Three Waters faces council criticism by Andy Bryenton
The nationwide Covid-19 lockdown has not stopped the clock on the countdown to the Three Waters amalgamation, with Kaipara District Council members receiving an update during the first week of level four, and asking hard questions.
Buy local to help recovery
With businesses facing another fortnight with the doors shut …
P3
Dargaville’s drivethrough clinic
In a new move aimed to get more vaccine doses into more Kiwi arms …
P5
Climate change in focus
Climate change and the environment will be the subject of a transTasman conference…
P7
The contentious new proposal from the government would see the KDC’s wastewater, stormwater and drinking water services subsumed into a Northland-wide corporate entity. It requires all councils in New Zealand to either opt-in or opt-out. They were given an eight-week deadline, which has nearly expired. This ticking clock has not been stalled by Covid’s Delta variant incursion. Councillors met via video conference to dissect and, in many cases, strongly criticise the Three Waters proposal. “The challenge for us as elected members in the current space is getting very, very clear as we have many, many questions which remain unanswered,” said Mayor Jason Smith. “One of the elephants in the room for us as the Kaipara District Council is that our two nearest neighbours have provisionally opted out of these reforms.” “I don’t think there will be a choice. It’s my opinion that the government will be likely to mandate this,” opined Mayor Smith in the late July council meeting. Nevertheless, a decision one way or another is an important mandate of approval or disapproval for the divisive scheme. “What we absolutely see now is that the Three Waters reforms negatively impact local democracy,” he went on to say at last week’s meeting. This ‘loss of mana’ as it was described, puts the large figures involved in a new light. Last week, figures above and beyond the $16 million ‘incentive’ for Kaipara to opt-in were tabled. These included
NZ’S LEADERS IN
details of a two-part ‘no worse off’ and ‘better off’ approach from the central government, which would see the new Three Waters entity seize Kaipara’s approximately $130 million in water infrastructure but cover all outstanding debts. The ‘no worse off’ section seeks to ensure that financially, no council is worse off due to the transfer of Three Waters control. The ‘better off’ package bundled with it includes $2 billion to be split among councils to invest in the wellbeing of their communities. It’s been indicated that Kaipara’s share of this, for housing, Minister of Local Government Nanaia Mahuta has placed a multibillion-dollar proposal in front of local councils, incentivising jobs and infrastructure, them to opt in to Three Waters plans could total $23 million. Also discussed were the future costs of these works. It was noted that there is upgrading, maintaining and progressing no mention at all in the Three Waters water-related infrastructure in the Kaipara. information available to date regarding The Kaipara Infrastructure Strategy flood protection and land drainage. A final forecasts that in the years through until decision by the council is still pending. 2051 the district will require $211 million However, councillors were very critical in drinking water investment, $95 million of the lack of information they have yet in wastewater investment, $35 million for received. They asked pointed questions stormwater and $110 million for flood about the ability of a Three Waters mitigation and prevention. entity, which does not include the Far There is no guarantee that an entity North or Whangārei, current opt-outs, to separate from the KDC would prioritise even function.
Power Free Sewage Treatment
Are YOU Wanting Power Free Sewage Treatment? No Power in treatment processes Natures Active ‘Bio-system’ Odourless, quiet operation
Call us for a free info pack
Extremely low maintenance needs Modular with low site impact Free Onsite Assessments
0800 628 356
www.naturalflow.co.nz