There are major concerns with Invercargill City Council over the controversial reforms of Three Waters and the Deputy Mayor will give another push to get the organization to join a lobby group.
The debate over the government’s plan to merge 67 water organizations now run by councils into four is set to return to council next week as elected members debate a motion tabled by Deputy Mayor Nobby Clark.
He will ask his colleagues to reconsider the council’s position not to be part of the Communities 4 Local Democracy group, which aims to advocate for a different solution to water reform.
Cr Clark said his motion followed the delivery of a petition with 670 signatures.
“I believe this group will be a strong voice for the government and also position LGNZ… [Local Government New Zealand] to return to his advocacy role for the next two LG [local government] reforms — the future of LG and the RMA [Resource Management Act 1991]†
“…I believe we need to reconsider our position on behalf of your taxpayers,” he wrote.
The document received support from him and Crs Ian Pottinger, Allan Arnold, Graham Lewis and Nigel Skelt.
If the council decided to join the group, it would have to pay a $15,000 membership fee.
During Tuesday’s meeting, councilors will also discuss the council’s plan for the $23.11 million allocated to it as part of the Three Waters reform program and draft submission on the Water Services Entities Bill.
It raised several concerns, including loss of asset ownership, lack of a direct voice in the regional representation group, and a possible rise in the cost of water.
The council estimated that the proposed model, with an expected efficiency of 25%, would result in an average household cost of $2,235 for an Invercargill-Bluff household, an amount “significantly higher” than the cost of $1,850 without the reforms.
“Everyone wants to see improved health and environmental standards, but the community needs to be able to afford them,” says the design submission.
A report from the council’s strategy and policy manager, Rhiannon Suter, outlined the potential funding projects associated with the reforms, as it would be used for projects to “improve community well-being rather than directly for Three’s infrastructure.” waters”.
It was proposed to use $1.92 million to future-proof 194 municipal units used by older and vulnerable people, $1 million for bicycle infrastructure and $1 million to expand and upgrade the CCTV system in the CBD. and selected suburbs and parks.
The council planned to use the entire $5.73 million available in the first tranche to deliver Te Unua, the new museum and art gallery, $1.5 million to improve the digital customer experience and $500,000 to complete the master planning and feasibility assessment for two community projects – Destination Play and the hydrotherapy pool.
The council asked Awarua and Waihopai Runaka for feedback regarding the projects and it would be provided during the meeting, the report said.