Western Bay of Plenty District Council is keen to hear from the community the best ways to have a Three Waters reform conversation when the time comes.
Council is inviting the community to co-design its consultation process to provide input into the final proposal.
This is in anticipation of the Government's reform programme remaining voluntary, and councils having the ability to opt in or out.
Councils nationwide await Government's final Three Waters reform proposal following an eight-week window to provide feedback on the reform proposal.
Council submitted its feedback ahead of the October 1 deadline, signalling serious concerns with the proposal in its current form including disappointment with Government's public advertising campaign and lack of meaningful public communication to date.
Council CEO John Holyoake says the Three Waters reform is a hot topic for many people with Council receiving plenty of feedback through emails, written submissions and speaking at Council meetings.
'We know, and have heard, that people are passionate about this issue and appreciate the Western Bay community has a vested interest in how the District's Three Waters services are delivered in the future.
'We are mindful that everyone needs to have their say which is why we have set up an online survey to work out the best ways people can understand the proposal and have a conversation.”
The online form - www.surveymonkey.com/r/WesternBayThreeWaters - allows you to rank 1. how you prefer to have the proposal explained, and by who, and 2. how you wish to provide feedback to Council on the proposal.
For example, would you like Councillors, Department of Internal Affairs or independent experts to explain the proposal, or read about it yourself online; and would you prefer to provide feedback online in writing, by video or present to Councillors in person in a meeting or an informal gathering?
'We see community conversations (or engagement) as genuine dialogue with our communities. Good, thorough and meaningful conversations that help us make better, more sustainable and inclusive decisions,” says John.
'We usually use a variety of ways to connect with the community which we have found to be successful. But please fill out the survey so we can make sure we include ways that ensure everyone's voice is heard on this really important topic.”
The online feedback form will be open until Wednesday, October 27.
4 comments
talks
Posted on 14-10-2021 09:17 | By dumbkof2
no need for any talks. just scrap the whole idea
Hmmm
Posted on 14-10-2021 10:31 | By Let's get real
Most of the arguments against the proposal is coming from high population towns and cities. Why not exclude these areas from the proposal, as I can see real benefits for smaller population areas in pooling their funding to get things happening and charging others rates for catchment areas etc to help with funding expansion. The real sticking point for me in every level of governance is membership by appointment. I detest the very idea of unqualified appointees making important decisions based on idealistic principles that have little to no hope of achieving anything. I'm not interested in hopes, wishes and beliefs when it comes to keeping people fed, watered and keeping the lights on. If you want to be involved in decision making, get yourself qualified to participate and equip yourself with current skills. Why can't we achieve excellence...?
Theft
Posted on 14-10-2021 14:36 | By Avman
Three Waters is straight out government theft of ratepayers assets, which are the major part of all council assets in fact, and handing them over to iwi under an apartheid rule where maori will then own and control all the assets that ratepayers have funded. We can then look forward to being charged extortionate fees to use what we paid for in the first place.
get rid
Posted on 14-10-2021 15:37 | By terry hall
it will be like the Bradford debarcle and the electricity privatizeing cost went up sky high. water will be the same, water comes free so should not be charged for a profit, should ne at cost, produced by your own council body.
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