Ratepayers will pay

Jan Bolwell, Paeka¯ ka¯ riki

Alan Sutherland, of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, threatens New Zealanders with cost blowouts for water rates unless we follow the sweeping Scottish reforms (NZ needs to invest more in water services, Sept 23).

Hawke’s Bay residents stand to lose $2 billion of water assets and could end up subsidising Wellington under the government proposal to amalgamate water services into four supersized regional entities run by anonymous bureaucrats.

These new entities will have to borrow money to develop infrastructure and provide services and the only way this money can be repaid is by residents effectively paying another rates account.

Most people don’t realise that in 2016 the former National government set the terms of reference for the Havelock North water inquiry which made amalgamation and mandatory chlorination inevitable.

The Department of Internal Affairs called the shots from day one and in 2017 this poisoned chalice was handed to incoming Local Government Minister Nanaia

Mahuta, who is now promising thousands of jobs for those in the ‘‘water industry’’. But we just need more robust standards and monitoring of drinking water supplies – which will happen under the new national water regulator.

No-one was held accountable for the 2016 gastro outbreak in Havelock North and all New Zealanders are paying the price. Pauline Doyle, Napier