Hauraki District Council will seek community feedback on the future of drinking water and wastewater services. The public consultation will open on Thursday, May 1.
At the council’s full meeting today, Mayor Toby Adams said the decision must be guided by long-term thinking and regional cooperation. He said economies of scale, affordability, and sustainability were the key reasons for supporting a subregional approach as the preferred option for consultation.
Council has chosen two options to present to the public for feedback. The first, Waikato Water Done Well, proposes a new Council-Controlled Organisation involving up to six Waikato councils. The second, Enhanced Status Quo, would see Hauraki retain full control of its water services while still meeting new national regulatory and financial requirements.
The preferred option, Waikato Water Done Well, emerged after the council considered five different delivery models. Mayor Adams said this option consistently ranked as the district’s most effective and sustainable long-term solution:
“We tested the waters with five different options initially, and Waikato Water Done Well – the collaboration with up to six other Waikato Councils, kept surfacing as the most effective and efficient long term solution for our communities”, said Mayor Adams.
Under government guidelines for the Local Water Done Well programme, all councils are required to include an Enhanced Status Quo option alongside any preferred alternative. Following the public consultation period, the council will make a final decision on June 25.
Mayor Adams acknowledged the complexity of the decision but said it ultimately came down to two clear paths. He said the subregional model, developed through years of work by Waikato councils, offered greater long-term benefits.
Chief Executive David Speirs said the process had involved significant amounts of data, financial modelling and legal analysis, but that Council’s core focus remained clear. He said the organisation remains committed to providing consistent and reliable water services to the community regardless of the selected model.
Speirs also confirmed that one change would occur regardless of the final decision. From July 1, 2025, wastewater charges will move from property rates bills to the water bill. He said this change would help ensure that the costs of drinking water and wastewater services are separated from other Council services, and that Hauraki’s existing water metering system would make the transition easier.
Stormwater management responsibilities will continue to be held by the Council under either model.
Once the water services model is chosen, it will form the basis of the Water Services Delivery Plan that Hauraki District Council must submit to central government by September 3, 2025.
Mayor Adams said Council was looking far beyond short-term thinking. He encouraged residents to read about the proposals and share their views.
Public consultation will run from May 1 to May 23. Residents can find more information and submit feedback by visiting the Council’s engagement website under Local Water Done Well.
