No to Three Waters, maybe to $5.24m
Despite being against the Three Waters reforms, Waipā District Council may vie for a slice of cash linked to the move.
The council is taking the first step towards seeking $5.24m for projects ranging from a Land Wars museum to cycle trails and street lighting, a council statement said.
The funding move split councillors but a council boss says it makes sense ‘‘from a purely financial point of view’’.
The money is from a $2 billion ‘‘Better Off’’ Government fund as part of a reform support package, to help councils pay for community improvement projects, the statement said.
But asking for a share of it doesn’t signal the council’s support of the water, wastewater and stormwater services reform, Waipā chief executive Garry Dyet said.
In fact, the council is strongly opposed and has asked that the Water Services Entities Bill be withdrawn, he said.
‘‘These are entirely different issues. The Government has put money on the table for community improvement and the majority view around the table was that Waipā ratepayers have just as much right to that money as anyone else,’’ he said.
‘‘If we can secure $5.24 million in funding for our district from central government, that’s substantial money we don’t have to find elsewhere, including from our own ratepayers. From a purely financial point of view, it makes sense to apply for the money.’’
The council has shortlisted seven potential projects for funding; the design and build of the Te Ara Wai Land Wars museum in Te Awamutu; the development of a resource recovery centre, implementing cycling/walking projects across the district; the Te Awamutu/ Ngā Roto/Pirongia cycle trail; a management plan for Lake Nga Roto; a feasibility study for a new Cambridge library and street lighting improvements in urban areas.