Three Waters

We are about to witness the Nelson City Council consider handing over the future of our water assets, paid for by rates over many generations and valued at $685 million, without any formal discussions with ratepayers.

The Ardern Government, through Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, is offering a paltry $20m to our council if it agrees to transfer our fresh water, wastewater and stormwater assets. The Government’s Three Waters reforms package now before our council proposes that 50 per cent of the future decisions on how our water is managed will be made by Ma¯ori.

Unbelievably, the four new Government entities will have boards that have 16 per cent of our population having a 50 per cent say on how our water will in future be managed. That is totally undemocratic, and our own council’s consideration of the offer has been equally undemocratic, with only the bare minimum involvement of ratepayers.

All concerned ratepayers must try to stop this, and sign the petition available on the website Change.org. You own these assets, and your voice must be heard. Neville Male

Stoke, September 19