Watch: Council Goes Against DIA And Discusses 3 Waters Report Publicly

A last minute 3 Waters Transition Programme report tabled at Council 12 hours before the meeting, prompted huge debate around whether to discuss it behind closed doors.

A 6-5 split in favour of not keeping it confidential, prompted Invercargill City Council managers to warn they were potentially putting them at risk legally.

The Department of Internal Affairs released the submission to council staff on the basis that it was discussed in committee (public excluded).

It proposes that seven entities be formed by Southern councils, (now excluding Waitaki), as part of the transition to 3 Waters.

Mayor Nobby Clark noted that Waimakariri had already gone out publicly with the proposed transition programme, and stressed the need to be able to talk about it.

“This undermines a good slice of democracy, having it tabled 12 hours before the meeting.”

He said the report had been three years in the making and they have never been able to consult with the community about it – stressing they have been kept in the dark for too long.

Cr Ian Pottinger reminded council about when they first put in a submission in October 2021 to opt out of 3 Waters, they were then told by the DIA it was compulsory.

“So they deserve no respect for the way they have treated us.”

Council manager of Infrastructure Erin Moogan spoke to the submission, which forms part of a draft bill for 3 Waters, and said the key piece was communicating the transition timeline.

A staged approach for entities coming onboard was proposed to take place between July 2024 and 2026.

Erin said the ICC has already given an indication around not committing to a timeframe should 3 Waters not go ahead.

“But we risk not having a say about when to transition and then be pulled along.”

Mayor Clark questioned what would happen if the other six councils and iwi all vote to go early?”

After further debate and discussion he warned that they were losing sight of what 3 Waters was about.

“At the end of the day we are here for the cost and quality of water…because water costs are going to go through the roof.”

The submission was eventually approved and Mayor Clark said he would give a further update tomorrow.