Option B: SDC In-House Business Unit

A council business unit, dedicated to delivering water, wastewater and stormwater services across the district. Similar to what we do now, but with changes required to meet the Government’s new rules and regulations.

How it would work

Water services delivery would remain the responsibility of council. Under this model, any revenue we get, either through rates or other charges, for providing water service would be ring-fenced and used specifically to pay for the cost of delivering those water services, which is similar to what we do now.

We would prepare a water services strategy, setting out priorities and ensuring the business unit has the funding it needs. The business unit will prepare separate performance and financial reports for council.

Impact on the community

Keeping water and wastewater services inhouse is a viable option for us because it is financially sustainable in the long-term, and therefore meets the latest rules and regulations set by Government.

Our community would continue to receive compliant and reliable water services by a team who understand local issues. Elected members would continue to have direct influence on future decisions relating to water services for the Stratford district, and community members would be able to influence these decisions through annual and long term planning processes, just as they can do now.

We can still continue to work in collaboration with other Taranaki councils to gain efficiencies over time.

View the impact on levels of rates, debt and services here.