Waimate District's Water Approved to Remain Under Local Control

We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news; the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has approved Council’s plan for the future of water services in the Waimate District.

This isn’t just an approval; it’s a resounding endorsement of our commitment to keep water service delivery local and in-house. After years of hard work, expert analysis, and overwhelming community support, this decision validates the very essence of local decision making, putting the local in charge of Local Government.

Mayor Craig Rowley says, “As a Council, we have consistently invested in our water infrastructure, and our prudent financial management meant that we were confident that we could provide water affordably and efficiently ourselves.”

“Waimate District has always been a champion of localism, and now we’ve proven it. Our plan approved by DIA showed and proved our ability to plan, fund and manage our water services for years to come.”

We consulted our community on how they wanted water services delivered. The response was clear, 87% of submissions supported an in-house model to keep water services affordable and under local control. We heard them and put together a Water Services Delivery Plan laying out our strategy. Our plan met every legislative, financial and regulatory requirement. The approval by DIA is a proud moment for our district.

However, it is only the beginning of what will be a long, challenging but exciting journey.

Council will commence work on setting up an Internal Business Unit for managing and delivering water services. The unit’s finances will be ring-fenced, which means that all water revenue will be used for water alone. This singular focus on water will be aided by the establishment of a Water Services Committee which will make recommendations to Council and have some delegated authority. Council will retain full decision-making authority.

The unit will be set up by 30 June 2026, and be responsible for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. While this is a big change for Council, we want to assure everyone that it will have no impact on the delivery of water services.

Mayor Rowley adds, “This was the most important decision Council made in decades and one that will impact us for decades. I want to congratulate and thank everyone in our district. Council staff, stakeholders, partners, experts and our community.

We promised this is your water and it would be your decision. We’ve kept that promise.”

Decision

Waimate District Council has decided to retain direct control of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services, deciding on an in-house delivery model as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.

The decision follows years of hard work, expert analysis and overwhelming community support. Public consultation received 246 submissions with over 87 percent of submitters supporting Council control of water services. This will allow Council to continue investing in water infrastructure and achieving outcomes best for our communities.

Mayor Craig Rowley says, “This is local democracy in action. At the beginning of consultation, we told the community that this is your water, and it will be your decision. We’ve kept our promise.”

He said, “Our residents and ratepayers told us that they value affordability and community influence. At the same time, they want us to continue investing in our water services for the future.”

The Local Water Done Well framework requires Council to submit a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025. Council will now focus on preparing this plan. It will outline how our proposed water services delivery model will sustainably deliver and fund our water services while meeting the Government’s stringent regulatory and financial requirements.

Council wants to thank everyone who got involved, asked questions and shared their voice to this vital conversation. This decision by Council is not the end, but the beginning of a new and challenging but exciting journey.

What is Local Water Done Well?

Local Water Done Well is the Government’s plan to address long-standing problems it sees with water services. This plan keeps water assets locally owned and recognises the importance of local decision making, so that communities and councils have the flexibility to choose the best way to deliver their water services.

The Government is putting a strong emphasis on keeping water services financially separate from other local services, and on economic regulation of water service providers to ensure they are efficient and charging fair prices. It is also strongly emphasising environmental and water quality requirements through ongoing quality regulation.

What is Council proposing?

Council looked at a number of scenarios and weighed the risks and benefits of each of them. While keeping our local issues and our community at the center of our thinking we have shortlisted two options for water services delivery.

As we make this significant decision, we cannot make it without your input. Whatever option we choose will shape the future of our water services for generations to come. Council is proposing either an in-house delivery of water services with changes to meet new legislative requirements or a multi-council water services organisation with Mackenzie District Council and Timaru District Council.

While we believe both options will satisfy the requirements of Local Water Done Well for financially sustainable water services, the option we consider will best meet the needs of our community into the future is Option 1.

Read more about the two options:

• Option 1 (Preferred option) - Internal Water Services Unit
• Option 2 - Three-council Water Services Organisation

Read the Consultation Document

Click below to make a submission: