Friday, 19 August 2022
OpinionSportBusinessRuralLifestyleDriven Motoring
Residential Property Listings
PhotosClassifiedsVideoWhanganui Midweek
DannevirkePalmerston NorthWhanganuiLevin
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui letters: Three waters reform; housing shortage

24 Mar, 2021 04:00 PM3 minutes to read
This is the biggest change in local services delivery in Aotearoa's history. Photo / File

This is the biggest change in local services delivery in Aotearoa's history. Photo / File

Whanganui Chronicle

OPINION

Three Waters reform

Re: Three Waters (Councillors say water reform too fast, News, March 20): this is the biggest change in local services delivery in Aotearoa's history with an aggressive timeline.

My experience in building the 'Supercity' entities says it is achievable IF Central Government remains determined enough.

We have yet to see enabling legislation to set up entities and their governance, assigning local councils into them and defining how we can (in practice if we can?) "opt out".

Until we see concrete and specific proposals, not loosely defined big picture ideas, it's wise to keep an open mind – but (as Mayor Hamish in the article says) it is "not acceptable to ... see Whanganui taxpayers funding larger cities that need expensive upgrades ...".

The article said "the three waters would be handed over to a regional entity and funded centrally rather than by local government".

This is misleading, Three Waters will not be paid for from central taxation. It is clearly the intention for the new entities to bill people directly for water to fund both provision of existing services and higher levels of borrowing to fix inadequate services (by and large not Whanganui).

In short some Three Waters costs will come out of council rates and those and new costs will be billed directly (probable some tenants may end up paying water costs currently paid by landlords in rates).

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The most unambiguous and hopeful message I took from the Palmerston North meeting was the strong Māori voices saying to the reforms not only that this is too fast, but very clearly that they did not want to be briefed and consulted separately - instead demanding to be in the room looking at Three Waters in partnership with local councils.

Your letters
Your letters

That is a step change from the past and one I find deeply encouraging for the future of local government. [Abridged]

Related articles

Partnership boosts regional reporting in Whanganui

23 Mar 04:00 PM

Ruapehu residents asked to halve their rubbish

23 Mar 04:00 PM

Kowhai Park flying fox still missing

24 Mar 04:00 PM

Opinion: A mighty totara has fallen; Russell Bell pays homage to Whanganui businessman

23 Mar 04:00 PM

COUNCILLOR JAMES BARRON
Castlecliff

Premium gold

Housing shortage

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Go Jacinda - at least you can see who is causing part of the problem. Covid has done part of the job reducing the number of non-New Zealanders flocking to our shores to be exploited and create a housing shortage.

I note that we are not the only place in the world short of houses as California is short 2 million.

GORDON WALKER
Piopio

Title Here
Click here to email us a letter.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui artists' autumn-inspired art

19 Aug 05:00 AM
Whanganui Chronicle

Driver admits causing crash that killed motorcyclist

19 Aug 01:45 AM
Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui records another Covid-related death

19 Aug 01:15 AM
Whanganui Chronicle

Omicron outbreak: 3805 new cases, 16 virus-linked deaths, new results reveal dominant strain

19 Aug 01:00 AM
Whanganui Chronicle

Multiple temperature records broken in Whanganui

19 Aug 12:35 AM

Most Popular

Naked motel owner found with woman, bong, syringes, meth pipe in police sting
Whanganui Chronicle

Naked motel owner found with woman, bong, syringes, meth pipe in police sting

18 Aug 08:39 PM
Premium
NZ's literacy crisis and kids unable to read: 'Teachers ask me: Why weren't we trained in this?'
Whanganui Chronicle

NZ's literacy crisis and kids unable to read: 'Teachers ask me: Why weren't we trained in this?'

17 Aug 05:00 PM
Premium
Whitebaiting season drops from 15 weeks to nine, concerns spots could be crowded
Whanganui Chronicle

Whitebaiting season drops from 15 weeks to nine, concerns spots could be crowded

15 Aug 05:00 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to Whanganui ChronicleHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionWhanganui Chronicle E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP