‘Better off package’ debate muddies Three Waters for KDC

JULIA WADE

25 April, 2022

With central government’s release of a multi-million dollar proposal aimed to soothe the transition - and perhaps ease the controversy - for territorial authorities around the ‘Three Waters Bill’ (3W) details of what the scheme could mean for Kaipara were introduced at a recent council meeting, sparking a philisophical debate among the elected representatives.

Announced last July by prime minister Jacinda Ardern, the $2.5 billion ‘Better Off Package’ (BOP), which was developed in partnership with Local Government New Zealand, is to ensure districts will actually be ‘better off’ after the waters assets come under government jurisdication. From July 1, 2024 central government will be taking over ownership and management of the country’s drinking, storm and wastewater infrastructure, a policy which has drawn condemnation and rebellion from a majority of local bodies including Kaipara District Council (KDC).

Guidance on how to spend Kaipara’s share of the BOP cash, $16.1 million, was sought from elected councillors at the April 6 meeting, after a commended presentation by KDC reporting officer, general manager for sustainable growth and investment Sue Davidson, ‘on what projects we should initially take into account and potentially do some consultation on’.

If council agree with the proposal, the allocated cash will be paid over three years, with just over $4 million scheduled to appear in KDC’s bank account in July 2022 and 2023 and the remaining $8 million in July 2024. The money can be spent over the next five years.

The funding is not required to be invested in Three Waters infrastructure but more to support ‘local wellbeing outcomes’ with projects and initiatives in relation to climate change and sustainablity, and infrastructure such as housing and local place-making. Certain criteria is required to be followed and council stipulated they want to support projects which make a difference to the community.

To date, projects under consideration for a cash boost from the package include libraries in Mangawhai and Dargaville, two lane bridge construction on Cove Road and Hakaru along Mangawhai-Kaiwaka Road, an additional boat ramp on Black Swamp Road and extra money for Alamar Cres car parking. Tarseal along Kaiwaka’s Oneriri Road and realignment of Paparoa’s Gorge Road footpath, Dargaville’s Kaihu Valley Trail, maraes, community halls, and beauitfying towns as well as wayfinding (cultural storytelling) are also short-listed.

Should we or shouldn’t we?
A lengthy discussion on whether council should even pick up the BOP – described as a bribe by West Coast-Central councillor Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock – after being vocally against 3W since it was first presented, was first raised by fellow West Coast-Central ward councillor, David Wills.

“As we’ve been a council in opposition to Three Waters, if we accept this process… to a degree does that not mean we are publicly identifying that we acknowledge we have conceded… feels like we’re being paid off.”

Mayor Dr Jason Smith says ‘its an excellent question’ and has heard it previously at a local government conference last year.

“That’s what everyone was saying, that councils were being bought off, ‘to play nicely’ and distracted as we’re not allowed to put this money towards water-related projects,” he says. “The Better Off Package… is extraordinary, completely odious and councillors are being backed into a really challenging place.”

Last November, KDC signed into the ‘Three Waters Reform Campaign Proposal’ along with 30 other nationwide local bodies, ‘to seek reconsideration of the government’s position and look to other options’.

Wills and Mangawhai-Kaiwaka councillor Peter Wethey stated that knowing the direction of the other councils in the opposing group would be helpful in making a decision.

“What is their position generally, as we don’t want to break away and find we are the only one of the 30 councils who are going down this track,” Wethey says. “It would send a mixed message and could be the crack in the armour the government is looking for.”

Smith informed that he is aware Whangarei Council is not engaging with any 3W process due to a current high court proceedings, however KDC has not officially opted out of 3W reforms.

“Our position has been to ask many questions, which we still haven’t received answers to… every decision we have made is one of engagement and good faith and continuing to stay the course with the government’s proposed programme as unpleasant as it may be,” he says. “Our situation is we can’t stop the policy the government has put out, they are doing this, it’s rolling and there is no hint of them changing course or slowing down regarding the transition to new water entities. Whether we like it or not, and my personal view is I don’t like it at all, it’s here on the table so our focus is how best should we use it.”

While Otamatea Ward councillor, Anna Curnow, noted her colleagues’ discomfort on the issue, the deputy mayor also expressed concern Kaipara ‘might miss the boat’ on the BOP benefits such as new librairies – previously presented at the council meeting – ‘may become redundant’ if a decision is not made in good time.

“Then we have to answer to our community why we turned down 16 million dollars... I don’t think it would be fair. The advice we’re getting from central government is Three Waters is going to happen, we can hope it doesn’t, but it is likely going ahead.”

Otamatea ward councillor Mark Vincent commented that councillor Wills’ question is the most important one and needs to be addressed before any commitment is made.

“Comes down to what is the legacy this council wants to leave this district. One where we nobly cut off our noses to spite our faces or, in a more pragmatic approach, hold our noses because of the smell and proceed to do what is best for the longterm interests of our community.”

After acknowledging the interest and importance of the ethical discussion, Smith concluded the debate saying he will find out what other councils are doing regarding the BOP and suggesting for now, to let the proposal ‘lie on the table’.

“This is very challenging… what I’m hearing from the council is the question, ‘are we even in?’ So rather than attempt to provide the direction of the Better Off Package today… elected members need to gather and resolve this philosophical point about whether we proceed or not… we will then bring it back to the May briefing.”

n Listen to the full discussion on the April 6 KDC meeting at facebook.com/KaiparaDistrictCouncil

“Whether we like it or not, and my personal view is I don’t like it at all, it’s here on the table so our focus is how best should we use it.”

- Jason Smith, Kaipara mayor

Deputy mayor Anna Curnow

Cr Peter Wethey