Conversations about proposed three waters reform have been flowing at national and local government level and Council has been wading through a lot of information to better understand what the future may hold for Southland since the reform programme was announced in 2020. 

As part of this process, significant work has been undertaken alongside local government partners across Otago, Southland and the wider South Island. 

In 2020 Council committed to phase one of the government’s proposed reform; signing a memorandum of understanding with the Crown to engage in discussions with central government about the reforms. Council provided central government with a high level of information regarding its three waters delivery, relating to age and condition of assets, compliance and consenting information, resources, funding, levels of rates and other key data. 

Council received $13.53 million in stimulus funding, allowing it to undertake a significant programme of renewals and upgrades of water networks throughout the district.

In 2021, the government announced plans to amalgamate all New Zealand councils’ water services into four publicly-owned multi-regional entities. Under the proposals, Southland would be part of an entity covering most of the South Island, excluding Nelson and Marlborough. Council-owned three waters infrastructure would be merged into the new entity. 

While no decisions have been made, councillors have discussed the three waters reform at length and are preparing initial feedback to seek further clarification from the government. 

We appreciate there are many facets to the proposed reforms and Council will continue to keep the public updated through our website, reporting and media releases where appropriate. Additional information, key statistics and FAQs can be found on our website: www.southlanddc.govt.nz/my-southland/three-waters-reform/.

Council respects the importance of ensuring the views of our communities are heard and would value your feedback or questions on our engagement platform www.makeitstick.nz. 

Further information is expected soon and, at this stage, councils will have until the end of the year to opt in or opt out of the proposed reforms.