Upper Hutt ready to join other councils in regional water plan
A tune-up from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown may explain an apparent change of attitude from Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy.
Guppy, who has been an outspoken critic of Wellington Water and who had cast doubts about the accuracy of a claim that his city is losing 52% of its water due to leaks, appears to have had a change of heart.
His council is now willing to work with other councils to overcome Wellington’s water crisis.
Councils across the region are meeting to discuss a joint Memorandum of Understanding, committing to a regional collaboration. The Memorandum of Understanding will create a non-binding partnership between councils to work together.
Hutt City, Upper Hutt City and Masterton District councils were the first three councils to commit to the joined-up approach at meetings on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Guppy said Upper Hutt would be prepared to work with other councils to create a water service delivery plan by the middle of next year.
Guppy said he had met Brown in January and there was a clear expectation that the councils needed to co-operate.
“Minister Brown wants councils to work together to overcome water supply issues that are plaguing the metropolitan
Wellington area,” he said.
While the Government’s new Local Water Done Well policy is still being worked on, councils are required to come up with a water service delivery plan for the region.
South Wairarapa District, Wellington City, Porirua City, Carterton District, Kapiti Coast District, and Greater Wellington Regional councils will consider the proposal later this month.
Guppy said how revenue is shared, as well as ownership and funding, must be addressed to ensure the new collaboration is successful.
“Unless there is a willingness from Government to look towards revenue sharing, then the affordability issue will remain. The fundamental problems of ownership and funding have not gone away either and are still the rocks lingering beneath the surface.”
“Unless there is a willingness from Government to look towards revenue sharing, then the affordability issue will remain.” Wayne Guppy Upper Hutt mayor