C4LD Looks at Alternative Solutions to the 3 Waters Reform

Grey District Council fully supports Communities 4 Local Democracy – Te hapori mō te Manapori (C4LD) in their move to look at alternative solutions to the 3 Waters Reform. Please see todays media release and follow here to view their proposal and find out more information.

Group offers opportunity to avoid costly failure

Local government can deliver the Three Waters outcomes the Government wants without the massively unpopular confiscation of assets from local communities.

Analysis commissioned by Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mō te Manapori has concluded that both the status quo with stronger regulation, and a new Council Owned Regional Enterprise (CORE) model would outperform the Government’s proposal in delivering better outcomes.

What’s more, the group says the benefits lie in the Government’s key interest areas, while being cheaper and quicker to set up.

Group Chair, Manawatu District Mayor Helen Worboys, said there was still the opportunity to work with local government to create lasting change that delivers the outcomes the minister seeks.

“We are not against change, but we strongly oppose this forcing through of massive reforms that are based on unsound evidence and faulty analysis,” she said.

“Our membership – and we could safely say most of local government – agree that change is needed, but it needs to be change that doesn’t take away property rights and the community’s right to have a say.

“The alternative CORE approach we’ve developed is one that everyone can support and is the opposite of the Government’s oversimplified ‘one size fits none’ model, which is setting the stage for a very expensive failure and future privatisation.

“Ours is a framework for local government to work with its neighbours – with the support of central Government – by transforming Three Waters delivery for the better and in a way that all our communities can agree.

“We’re the experts in local service delivery and we want to drive that change, not have it dictated by American accountants and Scottish regulators.”

Analysis by global infrastructure advising firm Castalia shows the CORE model of delivery achieves better outcomes on accountability, management and performance, scale and scope efficiencies flexibility and Iwi-Maōri engagement.

In comparison, the Government’s mega-entity proposal showed significantly worse outcomes across the board, than both the CORE model and the status quo with stronger regulation.

“Most of the infrastructure we’re talking about has a 100-year life and this is a once in a generation decision that will change things forever,” Helen Worboys said.

“No-one needs a rushed decision forced through against the clear wishes of our communities. We want the Government to pause and work with these communities to create real change that will last in the long term.”

For more information about Communities 4 Local Democracy He hapori mō te Manapori and details of our proposals visit www.communities4localdemocracy.co.nz