Background
In December 2023 the Government announced a new direction for water services (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services) policy and legislation which it has called Local Water Done Well.
Wellington City Council is working with the other councils in the Wellington region along with Kāpiti Coast District Council, and the Horowhenua District on a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to reform the region’s water services.
Read the Memorandum of Understanding, Wellington Region Water Service Delivery Planning (902KB PDF).
The 10 councils, representing more than half a million people, are committed to the process and working at pace to ensure we land an enduring approach to water management ahead of the local government elections in 2025.
The Department of Internal Affairs has provided councils with information about the Local Water Done Well policy decisions. Read the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) information for councils.
Minister of Local Government Hon Simeon Brown has also provided information on Local Water Done Well stage 2: Establishing the framework and transitional arrangement for the new water services system. Read the letter from Hon Simeon Brown.
A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has also been set up to provide expert advice on the implementation of Local Water Done Well.
Local Water Done Well Bill 2 had its first reading in the house on Thursday May 30 2024. Wellington councils submitted a joint proposal to the bill in June. Read the joint proposal (446KB PDF).
October 2024
The Water Services Preliminary Arrangements Act (the Act) (previously referred to as Bill 2) was enacted on Monday 2 September 2024. The Act outlines a number of provisions that councils must adhere to – most notably the development and submission of a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) to DIA by Wednesday 3 September 2025.
WSDPs are a way for councils to demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that meet regulatory requirements, support growth and urban development, and that are financially sustainable.
Additionally, councils must consult on the proposed delivery model. Consultation on our options are expected to take place early 2025.
For more information on the Act and WSDPs refer to the DIA website.
Wellington region water services planning
A report on the Recommended Regional Approach to Water Services Delivery has been released to all 10 councils working together under the memorandum of understanding (902KB PDF).
The recommended option is for a joint council owned company (a full breadth water utility, owning all assets, revenues and liabilities).
A joint water services entity is one of several options available to us. Council is yet to discuss the various delivery model options.
Looking ahead - December 2024
- Council will consider the delivery model options available and identify which options will be consulted on in 2025.
- The government is expected to introduce Bill 3
Bill 3 will address many of the more challenging aspects of water reform, including:
- long-term requirements for financial stability
- further details about the powers, functions, and duties of a water services entity
- accountability, planning and reporting regimes for water services
- comprehensive economic regulation
- amendments to the regulatory settings for Taumata Arowai, the Water Services Regulator
- establishing a regulatory backstop power
- further changes to the Local Government Act 2002 and other legislation to strengthen the delivery of water services
Council will continue to update this page as its works through the water reform process.