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The mayors of Canterbury appointed consulting firm PwC to conduct a review of the region’s water infrastructure and how services are delivered.
The review will help inform whether city councils adhere to the government-led tri-water review program, which could see control of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure transferred from city councils to publicly owned regional providers.
The government is pushing for an overhaul of New Zealand’s water infrastructure in the wake of a deadly outbreak of campylobacter in Havelock North’s drinking water in 2016, which left four people dead and 5,500 sick.
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Canterbury Mayor’s Forum Chairman and Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said the government will propose a new structure in the New Year.
“We want to make sure we have the correct information, so that we can take an informed approach to what the government might propose to us.
“That [the review] let us know if it’s worth participating. “
He said Canterbury does not want to switch to a multi-regional approach at this stage, amid concerns that taxpayers will end up funding water improvements for the rest of the South Island.
“The Department of Home Affairs has said that with any infrastructure aggregation there will be winners and losers.
“We just want to understand Canterbury’s position before deciding whether to get on board, and other regions will follow suit.”
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Sam Broughton says Canterbury does not want to switch to multi-regional water infrastructure governance at this stage.
While some infrastructure and water supply costs are already known, Broughton said the review will help mayors and city councils gain a more complete understanding, as well as where future investments are needed and how much it will cost.
He said the review will have no impact on service delivery at this stage, but could help inform property and water service providers in the future.
“The PwC tender demonstrated a strong level of understanding not only of the issues facing Canterbury, but also of the Ngāi Tahu Settlement Act of 1998 and its implications for water and other resources.
“The implications of the reform program are significant … This important work will ensure that the Canterbury councils are in the strongest possible position in determining the future of water infrastructure in our region.”
The outcome of the PwC review will be considered by the Canterbury Mayor’s Forum and Ngāi Tahu in March.
The government has promised the region $ 100 million to solve three water-related problems, if it agrees to sign up.
