The Government’s move to repeal the controversial Three Water legislation is seen as a positive step by Tauranga’s leader.

Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley says the council is looking forward to a “reset” so they can refocus on getting the best waters service outcomes for Tauranga residents.

“We see this announcement as a positive step towards providing long-term affordability for the city.”

Last week, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced they would pass legislation early next year to repeal the Three Waters legislation.

Three Waters would have seen drinking, waste and storm water management handled by 10 regional entities instead of local councils.

Brown says the previous government’s approach of removing community control of water assets and prescribing co-governance was “hugely unpopular”.

“We are committed to addressing the water infrastructure challenges that are jeopardising our nation’s health and prosperity and driving up costs for households across the country.”

He says the Government will implement a new regime that recognises the importance of local decision-making and flexibility for communities and councils to determine how their water services will be delivered in future.

“We will do this while ensuring a strong emphasis on meeting rules for water quality and long-term investment in infrastructure.”

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says the previous government's approach to remove community control of water assets was “hugely unpopular”. Photo: Supplied.

The new legislation will address the immediate challenges faced by councils who are currently preparing their 2024-2034 long-term plans under the previous government’s settings, by providing flexibility, says Brown.

Tolley says Tauranga City Council is well-placed to continue providing quality water, wastewater and stormwater services for the city.

The council will explore opportunities that align with the Government’s direction and support improved service delivery in the future, while still retaining ratepayer ownership of the assets, she says.

“The Government has signalled its intention to allow a new class of financially-separate council-owned organisations to provide waters services.

“This would allow three waters debt to be removed from the council’s balance sheet, freeing-up borrowing capacity for other much-needed, growth-related infrastructure investment.”

The new law will also disestablish the previous government’s Northland and Auckland Water Services Entity, says Brown.

“Key principles of the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy has now started for further development, with key decisions planned for early next year,” he says.

Western Bay of Plenty mayor James Denyer was approached for comment but declined until there was a clearer direction from Government. 

The Labour-Government introduced Three Waters in a bid to improve water services and quality by upgrading ageing assets.

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