Can we have what Auckland is having?
Wellington authorities keen for water deal of their own with Govt
Porirua’s mayor hopes the Wellington region will be the next part of the country to secure a water deal with the Government.
Minister of Local Government Simeon Brown announced this week a deal had been inked with Auckland Council that would allow the city’s water provider, Watercare, to borrow money for infrastructure separately from council.
The coalition Government claimed it meant council rates would only increase by 7.2 per cent instead of a previously projected 25.8 per cent.
It came as councils from Horowhenua, Ka¯piti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City prepare to today to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal.
The meeting of council representatives will be chaired by former Wellington mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker told RNZ the Auckland deal reflected her calls for budgetsheet separation between councils and water providers.
“It shows the Government’s serious, obviously, and can pass legislation to get that financial independence, so for Wellington I think it’s really exciting.”
Baker wanted their region to get its act together and be the next to get a deal.
She said it would help councils in the Wellington region facing high rates.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau told RNZ while the details around the Auckland deal were not clear, it sounded positive.
“We are working with other regional councils towards a new model for Wellington that
We are working with other regional councils towards a new model for Wellington that we hope can achieve a similar outcome for our residents
we hope can achieve a similar outcome for our residents.”
Whanau said she had made it clear to the local government minister what legislation was required for them to achieve balance sheet separation like
Auckland.
A bill to introduce the necessary changes in legislation to allow the Auckland water deal to go ahead will be introduced later this month.