Hamilton City Opposes Watercare App To Take More Water From Waikato River

Hamilton City Council will “conditionally oppose” Watercare’s request to bring more water from the Waikato River to Auckland.

Mayor Paula Southgate said Hamilton councilors “have to put our city first and ensure Hamilton’s interests are well cared for as well” in Watercare’s bid to draw an additional 150 million liters of water a day from the river.

“Auckland, like any other facility in New Zealand, must consider the future sustainability of its water supply,” he said.

“Water is gold and the Waikato River cannot be everything to everyone.”

Hamilton already draws water from the river to care for its 180,000 residents. The city’s current consent for water ends in 2044.

The decision to “conditionally oppose” Watercare’s request, taken at a council meeting yesterday, will allow the city to address the board of inquiry set up to consider issues related to Auckland’s water shortage.

Watercare originally applied to the Waikato Regional Council, but was referred to a Board of Inquiry last June. Submissions to the board of inquiry opened last month.

Southgate said the conditional opposition would allow Hamilton to have “a voice at the table” as part of the board of inquiry process.

“This is a case where we all work together on the problems Auckland faces to get the best possible outcome,” he said.