Keep Watercare

Michael Barnett’s call to sell off Watercare displays a gross misunderstanding of the role of local government and Watercare. Water supply is a fundamental essential service that should always remain in the total control of the Auckland Council, operated as it is now as a councilcontrolled organisation at sensible arms length but with full accountability.

It is not a commercial entity like Ports of Auckland or Auckland Airport. Sale of water supply companies in the UK and elsewhere have been spectacularly unsuccessful and resulted in huge price increases, corporate profit taking, excessive senior executive remuneration and other failures, all at the expense of the public.

He also conveniently forgets the other roles of Watercare, namely wastewater and water conservation.

Doug Armstrong, Glendowie.