Message from Mayor Neil Volzke

Tēnā koutou kātoa

The future management of council’s water, wastewater and stormwater services has been in the political spotlight for quite some time. After years of research, planning, political changes and more, our community is now at a crucial point where we need to decide how water services will be delivered in the future.

In early 2024, the Government introduced the Local Water Done Well (LWDW) reforms, a variation on the original 3 Waters reforms that aims to address New Zealand’s long-standing water infrastructure challenges.

Due to careful investment over the years our water services infrastructure is solid, and our debt levels are manageable. However, we have some big and expensive projects ahead, especially around wastewater, and the cost of meeting the Government’s environmental and health standards is only increasing. Whatever future delivery model is chosen, it’s clear that water service delivery is going to be more expensive than it currently is.

The LWDW framework puts more choice and control back in the hands of councils and communities, allowing us to decide whether we continue delivering water services on our own, or work in partnership with other councils. After careful consideration and expert advice, we’ve narrowed it down to two options:

• A local, in-house delivery model – similar to what we do now, but with some changes.
• A regional model – where Stratford teams up with South Taranaki District Council and New Plymouth District Council through a joint council-controlled organisation.

Both options are financially viable and meet the latest published requirements from Government, but we think working together offers real opportunities to improve efficiency and future-proof our services.

All three councils are proposing to change to a regional model, but we want to hear what you think.

This decision is important. Clean water and reliable wastewater services are essential, not just for our health and environment, but for the strength of our local economy and the wellbeing of future generations. And it’s not just about what works today, but what will work best for our communities 10, 20, even 30 years from now.

We acknowledge that this is a very complex issue with many factors to be considered, all of which carry pros and cons, and all of which have an impact on everybody in our district.

Hearing from our community is an important part of our decision-making process. I urge you to read through this information, to ask questions if you have them, and to talk with others in the community to help you form your own view.

Your submissions are vital to help us determine the best approach going forward.

Ngā mihi

Neil Volzke
Stratford District Mayor