Water Services Entities Act 2022
And its demented twin the "Water Services Legislation Bill"
I am overseas again, business has taken me to Australia. But it’s hard not to notice the latest Labour Government shenanigans in New Zealand.
First up this brand new Act shits on every NZr except those with Maori freehold land. I didn’t know that land could be Maori but I guess you learn something every day. I’m not sure if the exemption applies to Maori land where its ‘owners’ have mortgages to the bankers (who are very seldom Maori in my experience).
Did you note that word ‘entities’. Well they get control the water basically. Local Authorities are completely removed not just partly removed. And you can form your own co-op but the writers of this legislation don’t like that idea so unlike this Act and the associated bill to amend that said Act (only days old) that sort of misbehavior has to go to a referendum. And you and me, where do we fit in? Having an extra glass of water might cost you 20k that’s where you come in.
This Act and the Bill are full of shit. I’ll do more on them later but in the meantime here’s the links so that you can have a look.
Water Services Entities Act 2022
Date of assent 8 December 2022
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2022/0077/latest/whole.html
And
Water Services Legislation Bill
Introduction 8 December 2022
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2022/0210/latest/d11818629e2.html
Soz about the pic.
It appears that the Govt is too involved with ‘Three Waters’ to pull out now.
The Act is comprehensive and covers every little detail.
Complexities always arise relating to the Treaty of Waitangi.
“Treaty Settlement Obligations Prevail”
They were never going to listen to local councils, even though they put this to all councils.
I understand that most are not agreeing to these changes. Although, Palmerston North City
Council is in agreement saying their pipes are so old with many requiring replacement that they simply cannot afford.
The rationale is:
" New Zealand faces significant infrastructure challenge in relation to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services (three waters) that are currently delivered by individual councils.
The investment needed over the next 30 to 40 years to maintain and upgrade New Zealand’s water infrastructure to a standard required to address the infrastructure challenge is unaffordable for most communities under the current arrangements".
Here in Queensland, Australia we have gone through similar changes where a few years ago water infrastructure was taken from local councils and handed to an entity, in our case, Unitywater with three shareholders from the local councils involved.
Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay.
This covers a large area providing essential water supply and sewage treatment services to these residents. Our experience is that they do quickly attend to any problems, but the cost of water has risen considerably.
After the NZ Act is passed it is most unfortunate that they will not allow local councils to be involved, or have any say, even in a limited way.
As you say, this will not be permitted.
I will have a look tomorrow at the Water Services Legislation Bill - not that I will most
likely grasp it all that well. My brother wrote tonight and said that they are resisting the terrible polices this present government is wanting us to agree with them, they want to centralize a lot of our core business so locals can't make decisions for themselves.