Local Government Minister Simeon Brown wants more water meters as part of three waters overhaul - On the Tiles

Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says although the Government will not mandate water meters as part of its three waters overhaul, councils with large population centres should “definitely be going down that track”.

The Government has recently unveiled changes to allow new council-owned water companies to access more cheap borrowing from the Local Government Funding Agency.

These council-controlled organisations (CCOs) will be able to borrow up to five times their revenue, which will come from water charges.

Brown told On The Tiles: Local Edition, the Herald’s politics podcast, that councils will be required to put forward a water service delivery plan including identifying revenue.

“Ultimately in terms of the question of water meters, that’ll be a question which we work through as part of the water service delivery plans but I’m a very strong advocate for water meters.

“They help identify leaks, they make people take more notice of how much water they’re using, and also it means that there is a user pays approach.”

Brown pointed out Aucklanders already have water meters and said it was just a part of how they operate.

“We’re not mandating it, but I’m a very strong advocate for it.”

However, not all councils have water meters and they are often controversial because of privatisation fears and the issue of equity.

Wellington City doesn’t have them but political will has grown after fears the city could run out of water this summer and mayor Tory Whanau has publicly committed to them.

Brown said councils with large population centres should be seriously considering them.

“Where there are smaller population centres, there may be other considerations but I’ve been having conversations with a lot of mayors around the country and making my views clear.”

The revenue generated from water charges will be ring-fenced, Brown said.

“So those revenues will no longer be able to be used to supplement building hotels or convention centres, which some councils like to spend a lot of money on. That money that’s raised for water will have to be spent back on water infrastructure.”

Listen to the full episode of the On the Tiles podcast for more about the Government’s plans for our water.

On the Tiles is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are available on Fridays.

The podcast is hosted by Georgina Campbell, a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.