Marlborough Mayor John Leggett has written a letter to the community urging them to “make their voices heard” while outlining the council’s plan to “strongly oppose the Three Waters reform”. “. Local Democracy Reporter Maia Hart asked him why he decided to come out swinging.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett makes clear “where they stand”.
The reformannounced in June last year, would create four water service entities to take over responsibility for the three waters – drinking, waste and rainwater – of municipalities. Although it was originally an opt-in program, it was made mandatory in October last year.
“We had some people ask us what stance we were taking, and I thought it was important that we make that statement available to the general public,” Leggett said in his letter to the community this week. The letter was published through the council’s and Leggett’s social media channels, and in some community magazines.
READ MORE:
† Rotorua’s Three Waters rejection: DIA says reform ‘rises’ to investigate, hinted new funding
† Early results show a divided picture of Three Waters from Hamiltonians
† Worries Marlborough voice ‘not heard’ in Three Waters reform
“The key for me has always been that the people who have taken the time to get involved in this process are all strongly opposed to the model the government wants to introduce.
“So I think it’s important that we reflect the wishes of our community and make sure we seize the opportunity to submit.”
Bryan Ingram
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett speaks to a crowd of about 250 in Seymour Square on June 14 for the Stop Three Waters roadshow.
Leggett said the council had been involved in the rollout of Three Waters from day one and took the opportunity to make their point of view as best they could.
“We’re definitely not going to back down on that, we’re going to be very strong in the position we’re in,” he said.
He said the most important thing to remember for Marlborough was that “Entity C” and “Entity D” meant Marlborough had split.
The water reforms could lump Blenheim and Picton with the eastern and lower parts of the North Island, sharing the cost of water upgrades with the likes of Greater Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne.
Meanwhile, people in Seddon and Ward, in South Marlborough, split bills with the rest of the South Islandincluding Christchurch and Queenstown.
“I have always returned it to DIA (Ministry of the Interior) and to the politicians I spoke to, what is the rationale behind it to lead to better water quality, better drinking water and better environmental results?
“To me it just doesn’t make sense, and there’s no logical answer to that either. And I accept that Ngāi Tahu takiwā’s border is where they want to draw the line, but sure, if you look at Marlborough, it doesn’t account for better results.
He said his “personal view” was that if the reform was so “coercive”, why was there so much opposition to it.
“There is a chance for the government to step back and say ‘Look, maybe this is rush’.
“We have an intergenerational reform that we’re talking about here, shouldn’t we bring it to the attention of the public properly so that people understand what we want to achieve.
“And if it’s as good as what we think it is, and if it’s as compelling as they think it is, it will soften the opposition. That is the challenge for the government.”
Leggett’s letter
To the Marlborough Community,
While recognizing that there are significant challenges in New Zealand’s Three Waters sector, the Council continues to strongly oppose the government’s megamodel for the proposed reform. The proposals can be found on the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) website at: www.dia.govt.nz/Three-Waters-Reform-Programme
The Water Services Entities Bill has had its first reading in Parliament and has been referred to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. Entries may be submitted, and the Council intends to do so.
Our opposition is based on two main concerns:
1) Loss of local democratic influence and control. Marlborough will be one of 21 local authorities to transfer its properties from Three Waters (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) to the management and control of “Entity C.”
Awatere and Seddon’s stormwater and sewage assets fall under “Entity D” because Entity D’s boundary is defined by the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (territory). They may be managed by “Entity C” depending on the outcome of the negotiations that DIA is leading.
Three Waters investments are absolutely vital to the future of Marlborough. These are essential services, not only for the health of our community, but also as important drivers of housing, industrial development and environmental protection.
Will a Wellington-based entity be able to cater to the needs of the Marlborough community?
Will money come to Marlborough or will the size and scale of larger counties hold sway?
Will such a large bureaucratic structure be able to respond quickly and effectively to Marlborough’s needs?
The Council does not believe that the new governance structure of the Three Waters entities will provide the required future investment in this critical infrastructure.
2) Insufficient consideration of alternative options for enhancing Three Waters investments.
As previously mentioned, the Council recognizes that there are significant challenges in New Zealand’s Three Waters sector. A stronger, well-equipped regulator (Taumata Arowai) has been established that sets clear expectations about the quality of drinking water. The municipality considers this a necessary step. We do not accept that creating a “one size fits all” four-entity structure to manage Three Waters assets and provide services will deliver the improvements in efficiency or effectiveness sufficient to offset the loss of local knowledge and decision-making. to justify. The Council considers this unavoidable as a result of the proposed model.
There are other ways to boost investment in the Three Waters sector and close the investment gap.
The Council is a member of Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD), a group of 31 councils representing approximately 1.5 million people who oppose the Three Waters proposals.
With the help of Castalia (an international consultancy with experience in large-scale infrastructure), C4LD has developed alternative models to the government’s proposal with four entities. These are based on either:
a) An improved model owned by the municipality; or
b) Creation of Regional Council Controlled Organizations (CCOs).
A government financial support program is proposed to cover investment shortfalls.
The Board’s submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Water Services Entities Bill (closing July 22) will be based on the concerns expressed in this letter and the final reform options proposed by the C4LD.
Any member of the public can also submit an entry to the committee no later than July 22. You can find more details on the New Zealand Parliament website at www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/53SCFE_SCF_BILL_124081/water-services-entities-bill
I urge you to do this.
For more information on the Marlborough District Council’s position on Three Waters, please visit: www.marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/three-waters-reform-proposals
Yours faithfully,
John Leggett
mayor