Council to proceed with joint council option for water services

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is continuing work towards a new model for how water services will be delivered across the District in the future - taking another step towards a partnership with other councils.

At this week’s meeting, Councillors agreed to proceed with the development of a Water Services Delivery Plan based on a joint Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) model. This model will now be used as the basis for preparing the Plan, which is required by central government as part of the Local Water Done Well programme.

Who Council might partner with, and whether stormwater will be included, is yet to be finalised. These decisions will be confirmed in the coming months as the Water Services Delivery Plan is completed, ahead of submission to the Department of Internal Affairs by 3 September 2025.

Meanwhile, kōrero is continuing with potential partners, including Tauranga City and Thames-Coromandel District Councils. The joint CCO model would allow councils to maintain local, public ownership of their water assets while working together to deliver services more efficiently.

Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says the model - which was also the most supported option during community consultation earlier this year - is a key opportunity to deliver safe and sustainable water services for the Western Bay.

“We’re committed to putting our District in the strongest position to meet rising national standards and future-proof our water infrastructure,” explains Mayor James.

“This approach reflects both the strong signals we received from our community and a clear strategic direction for the long term.”

Council considered three possible options for how water services could be delivered in future, including continuing to manage services in-house. However, as this option does not meet the Government’s Local Water Done Well standards for financial sustainability, it is not a viable option. During public engagement from 24 March to 24 April 2025, community feedback was sought on the other two options for the Water Services Delivery Model: establishing a standalone CCO for Western Bay, or partnering with other councils to form a joint CCO - Council’s preferred option.

Of the 124 submissions received, more than 70 per cent of those who stated a preference supported the joint approach.

Submissions reflected a strong community focus on safe, high-quality drinking water, future-focused planning, and resilience to growth and climate change. Tangata whenua feedback highlighted the importance of genuine partnership, cultural considerations, and decisions that reflect the needs of both rural and urban communities.

To learn more about the Local Water Done Well programme and what it means for our rohe (District), visit: https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/local-water-done-well