Councillors wrestle with decisions on future of water

Monday, 12 May 2025

Councils around the country are consulting on proposed water reforms.

Councillors in Taranaki’s two smallest councils are wrestling with their biggest decision yet - whether to join the New Plymouth district in a new shared entity to supply drinking and waste water services, or go it alone.

All three district councils are seeking residents’ feedback this month on the two options.

Both plans would end up costing ratepayers more for water in the future, but there were economies of scale in the joint entity over time, which would keep costs lower, have better borrowing ability and make it easier to pay for new infrastructure.

The regional model would be run independently by a board appointed by a committee comprising three South Taranaki representatives, three from iwi, two from the Stratford district and four from New Plymouth.

South Taranaki District Councillor Andy Beccard wants the council to retain water services in-house. (File photo).

But South Taranaki councillor Andy Beccard, a councillor for 21 years, wants his district to retain its independence.

“I came on to the council to help get the infrastructure fixed and now I’d like for us to keep it.

“We have done our water for the last 120 years. I’m confident our council officers are able to do the job and better than relying on other people outside.

“Creating an extra bureaucracy doesn’t save money, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Consultation booklets for both STDC and SDC make it clear the plan is not proposing or discussing amalgamating the councils.

However, Beccard fears the downgrade in council work if water services were removed could be a step towards this.

“The people need to realise what will happen if we go regionally,” Beccard said.

“It’s 29% of our business, so it will affect a number of staff in all departments, it will affect managers and senior managers, and it will affect our chief executive’s grading, because everything is smaller.

“If this goes ahead, it’s a next step towards amalgamation, a unitary authority for the whole region.”

He urged residents to have their say in the consultation.

Councillors on both councils were divided on the plan when they voted to begin the consultation, with both voting 7-4 to go out to consultation with the regional entity as its preferred option.

One of those who supported the vote was South Taranaki deputy mayor Rob Northcott.

“On the face of it, in terms of looking to the next 30 years it seemed the regional option was going to be more efficient,” he said.

He was also concerned that retention of staff could become an issue if the council retained its own service, and had to compete for staff with the larger entities.

“I’m of the opinion that we need to hear from the public more than anything,” he said.

“It’s such a difficult one, there are so many variables, it’s an extraordinarily difficult decision for us to make.”

He too was concerned for the future of the council.

Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke sees pros and cons on both sides of the discussion. (File photo).

“This is a big part of our infrastructure, a big part of what we do, obviously water is a commodity that’s precious, how we deal with that is an extremely important decision.

“That’s just one side of it all, that thought could be is this a government forcing an amalgamation by stealth, if a huge part of our infrastructure is taken away from council, what is there left for us to do? ”

Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke said the issues facing Stratford residents were similar to those in South Taranaki, with pros and cons on both sides of the discussion.

Both options would meet the Government’s criteria.

Joining the regional entity would impact the council’s staffing and costs, but over time it was expected to save residents money.

“This decision is not the most controversial but the most complex and probably the most important one the council has faced,” he said.

“We have all heard the term amalgamation by stealth and I think there is an element of truth in that statement, however I think it’s better referred to as amalgamation by surrender.

“Council doesn’t have to do this, it is a choice and the future of the council is definitely a factor that needs to be taken into account.”

The three councils already collaborated in many ways, including the shared library service between Stratford and the STDC, and the three councils collaborating to buy pool chemicals.

“We pick and choose when it suits but remain politically independent,” he said.

The consultation is open until May 30.

“We are not so concerned about the number of people who submit, we are looking for their concerns, things we might have missed, so we can factor them into our thinking,” he said.

From there, councils will hold hearings to hear submissions then later, vote on the proposal. A decision has to be submitted to the Government by September 3.