The seven Waikato Waters Ltd shareholding councils have received unanimous approval for their Water Services Delivery Plans (WSDPs) from the Secretary for Local Government.
Independent chair of the Shareholders Representative Forum (SRF) Don Mcleod said the WSDPs were a significant requirement under Local Water Done Well, requiring councils to clarify how they would proceed to deliver water and wastewater services into the future.
“The tick of approval of our whanau council WSDPs is more than just a milestone – it is a celebration of passing through the gateway to the establishment of a successful water services entity,” McLeod said.
“The WSDPs are a signal of the shift from council delivery of water and wastewater services as part of a range of things they do, to being a member of a shared entity that is entirely focused on water and wastewater service delivery as its one and only core business.”
The WSDPS each reflect the decisions made by each council to transfer their water and wastewater assets and services to Waikato Waters Ltd – Waipā, Waitomo and South Waikato from 1 July 2026, Matamata-Piako on 1 October 2026 and Ōtorohanga and Hauraki on 1 July 2027.
Taupō District Council will initially establish a stand-alone business unit under its WSDP and will remain a shareholder of Waikato Waters Ltd. Their WSDP will be reviewed in two years.
Water Services Delivery Plans (Plans) are a legislative requirement for councils, requiring them to show how they are going to meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and be financially sustainable in delivery of waters services.
The process required each council to complete a WSDP by 3 September and then submit it to DIA for review before being formally approved.
WSDPs can be viewed on each council’s website.
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