Whakatāne District Council formally submitted responses to Central Government’s Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill introduced to Parliament in December 2022.
Councils had until 17 February 2023 to respond to the proposed bills. Given the short duration of the submission window, Whakatāne District Council combined efforts with the 21 other councils that will make up Water Services Entity B to enlist the aid of a law firm specialising in public policy analysis. This firm was able to supply a thorough review of the two proposed bills. Council used this analysis, as well as detailed responses from other independent organisations, such as Local Government NZ, Water New Zealand and Taituarā to develop Whakatāne District Council’s response to both the Water Services Legislation Bill and Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill.
Council's two submissions advocate for Whakatāne communities, protection of its interests and established accountability to local government, iwi/hapū, residents, and reflect on the key concerns consistently raised with Central Government since September 2021. To meet the submission deadline, the formal responses were made under the delegation of Mayor Dr Victor Luca on 17 February 2023, and will be retrospectively ratified at the March 2023 Council meeting.
Read Council's feedback submissions given to Government:
- Whakatāne District Council Response to Water Services Legislation Bill - (PDF, 621 KB)
- Whakatāne District Council Response to Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill - (PDF, 621 KB)
Follow the links below for more information on Government's Three Waters Reform Bills:
Currently in parliamentary process:
Ascended to Law: