In-house model for the future of water services delivery recommended
Stratford District Council (SDC) heard and deliberated on the 184 submissions received on Local Water Done Well consultation today, Tuesday 24 June. Voting unanimously to move forward with an in-house stand-alone business unit as the future delivery model for water, wastewater and stormwater services for the Stratford district. This recommendation is subject to adoption by Council at the Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 8 July.
Conversation from around the council table spoke highly of the submissions received from the Stratford community. With some elected members noting that this is an example of the importance of people sharing their views when provided the opportunity, and shows that councils do listen to the feedback presented to them.
The main themes from elected members in making their decision on an in-house delivery model included:
- Overwhelming support from the community
- SDC’s capabilities to meet current and future legislative requirements
- Retaining local decision-making
- SDC’s ability to manage existing debt and borrow for future infrastructure projects
- Collaboration is already at play for SDC and Council will continue to identify ways of working with other councils if it’s beneficial to Stratford district residents and ratepayers.
Elected members made it clear that no matter today’s decision, the cost of delivering water services is only going to increase, with meeting central Government’s new regulations playing a key role in this.
SDC staff will work on finalising the Water Services Delivery Plan required to be delivered to central government by September 2025. This is subject to approval by the Department of Internal Affairs.
We’ll provide updates to the community on this process as they become available. Follow along at YourSay.Stratford.govt.nz
