Southland District Council has launched its consultation phase for Local Water Done Well (LWDW).
District residents are encouraged to submit their feedback with consultation open until 7 May 2025.
Councils are required to decide on how water services will be delivered in their area, consult on at least two options, and develop and submit a water services delivery plan by 3 September 2025 as part of the coalition government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) policy. Related: SDC Annual Plan Taking Shape
Group manager infrastructure and capital delivery Fran Mikulicic said Council had reviewed different water service delivery models in collaboration with Otago and other Southland councils, and advice from Morrison Low.
“We believe there are two options that are the most suitable for Southland District at this point in time and so we are consulting on these two options now,” she said.
“This is a significant decision for how key services are managed going forwards and we need to hear the public’s thoughts on how they believe we should proceed.”
The government had made it clear that the status quo for water services was no longer an option. Therefore, Council’s preferred option is an adjusted status quo where Council continues to deliver all water services with the necessary legislated changes made.
The second option is a Council standalone Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) – a single Council Controlled Organisation would be set up to deliver stormwater, drinking water and wastewater.
“Council’s preference is for the adjusted status quo in-house model because it reflects our commitment to financial sustainability, community-focused governance, and maintaining local influence over critical infrastructure services,” Mikulicic said.
A consultation document will be in people’s mailboxes in the next couple of weeks with a detailed explanation and an opportunity to provide their opinion. It can be found online at makeitstick.nz
Submissions can be made until Wednesday 7 May 2025 by the following methods:
• Online through southlanddc.govt.nz/make-it-stick/
• Email: sdc@southlanddc.govt.nz
• Fill out a submission form at your nearest library or area office.
• Post a submission to Local Water Done Well Submissions, Southland District Council,
PO Box 903, Invercargill 9840
• Deliver to our head office in Forth Street, Invercargill or to your local area office or library.
Council will discuss submissions and make a final decision in June, before staff write the delivery plan, which needs to include details on how the services will be operated, and how Council plans to finance and deliver the preferred delivery model.