Your Water Done Well
We’re proposing a change to the way your water is managed
Selwyn District Council is currently undertaking a public consultation in response to the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation, The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (the Act) in relation to the arrangements for its delivery of water services into the future.
The Act requires all councils to explore alternative ways for more reliable water services, and we’re seeking your feedback on a proposed change designed to future-proof Waikirikiri Selwyn’s water infrastructure. This change aims to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable water services for generations to come.
Setting the scene
In September 2024, the first substantive piece of legislation supporting the Government’s Local Water Done Well policy was enacted. The Local Water Done Well policy is aimed at addressing New Zealand’s water infrastructure challenges and places emphasis on achieving financial sustainability, appropriate regulation of water services, and ensuring flexibility for communities and councils in determining how their water services will be delivered.
The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 (the Act) sets out several transitional provisions, including a requirement for Council and all other territorial authorities to prepare and submit a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to the Government.
A WSDP is required to describe the current state of Council’s water assets and services, and also describe the future arrangements for delivery of water services. A further piece of legislation, the Local Government (Water Services) Bill is currently before parliament, and will (once enacted) provide a structured framework for managing and delivering water services in New Zealand.
The Bill is progressing on a separate timeline, and will apply to Council’s future water arrangements in time.
The Act requires all councils to consult on their arrangements for the future delivery of three of the water services that Council currently manages.
These are:
1. Drinking Water
Ensuring the provision of safe and reliable drinking water to communities.
2. Wastewater
Managing the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater to protect public health and the environment.
3. Stormwater
Handling stormwater drainage to reduce flood risk and manage runoff in urban areas.
Following the introduction of the Act, and the requirement to consult on future delivery arrangements, Selwyn District Councillors decided, in November 2024, to start investigations into setting up a new Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).
Although stormwater is included in the Act for consideration, Council has decided not to consult on changes to its delivery. Many stormwater assets deliver multiple outcomes for the community, such as water quality, recreation, ecology, and cultural values, making a multi-value approach essential. Additionally, integrating stormwater management with other Council activities, like roading, allows for a catchment-based approach to surface water management. For these reasons, Council proposes keeping stormwater management in-house.
The Act and this proposal do not consider water races or land drainage, which will continue under Council management but may be reconsidered in the future.
What we're consulting on
The Act allows councils to explore and establish new delivery models for water services. The options include:
- Joint Local Government arrangements
- A Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO)
- Consumer Trusts
- Continue to deliver water services in-house.
After careful consideration, Council is proposing to establish a new WSCCO as its preferred delivery model for drinking water and wastewater services, however we are seeking your feedback on the following two options.
1.
Set up a WSCCO to deliver wastewater and drinking water. Continue to deliver stormwater in-house.
2.
Deliver water services through a future in-house water delivery model.
Please note:
Our Waiora One Water Strategy has agreed to uphold the mana and mauri of all water in its decision making and to work in partnership to sustainably manage water now and into the future. This partnership approach will remain in both delivery options being considered.
Council has decided to consult on a Selwyn District Council only owned WSCCO, as at this time, there is no viable option to join with other councils for a joint WSCCO. If the establishment of a Selwyn WSCCO proceeds and other councils express an interest in integrating at a later time, this would be considered and worked through.
Please read the consultation document which outlines all the details of both options for your consideration.
Have Your Say
Let us know:
- If you support the Council’s proposal to transition our drinking water and wastewater assets and services to a new WSCCO, with stormwater remaining with Council.
- Or, if you prefer that the Council continues with a future in-house water delivery model, noting the new legislation will require some changes.
- If you have any other comments on the WSCCO model or anything else contained in the consultation document.
You can complete the online feedback form by clicking the button below. Printed forms are also available at the following Council service centres and libraries:
- Council Rolleston Offices, 2 Norman Kirk Drive, Rolleston
- Te Ara Ātea, 56 Tennyson Street, Rolleston
- Darfield Library, 1 South Terrace, Darfield
- Leeston Library, 19 Messines Street, Leeston
- Lincoln Library, 22 Gerald Street, Lincoln
Key Documents
