WAIKATO WATER COMPANY Water Plan WHAT’S in IT for WAIPA? Could Save Millions EMMA JAMES
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TTicketsickets f foror t thehe RRanfurlyanfurly S Shieldhield iinstorenstore NNOW!!!OW!!! TicketsTickets available from thethe store or by Cambridge accounts.cambridgeaccounts Pedal @[email protected] power Page 13 Edition AU-7274240AE Wednesday, July 13, 2016 SERVING CAMBRIDGE SINCE 1981 cambridgeedition.co.nz WAIKATO WATER COMPANY Water plan WHAT’S IN IT FOR WAIPA? could save millions EMMA JAMES A publicly owned water company could ESTIMATED SAVINGS save the Waipa district millions of dollars. OVER 10 YEARS Waipa District Council has agreed to SAVINGS MADE take the next step in forming a rate-payer owned water company, which would mean • Waipa District Council: $26.7m joining forces with Hamilton city and Wai- kato district councils to create a Council • Waikato District Council: $28.1m • Operational expenditure: Reduces by Controlled Organisation (CCO). $153.5m, average of $5.4m per year. The CCO would manage water and • Hamilton City Council: $52.3m wastewater on behalf of all three councils, • Capital expenditure: Reduces by $150.9m, and stormwater would be managed by the average of $5.3m per year CCO under contract. An independent report shows Waipa • Debt optimisation: Charges to consumers District Council could save an estimated reduced by $164m over 28 years. Waikato District Council ESTIMATED SAVINGS has given it the nod, and OVER 28 YEARS Hamilton City Council will make a decision on • Waipa District Council: $80.8m Waipa District Council is whether it will agree. • Waikato District Council: $105.5m asking the public for feedback on a plan to set • Hamilton City Council: 282.1m $26.7 million in 10 years, and $80.8 million up a company to in 28 years. It suggested the company could optimise manager the district’s debt by reducing charges to consumers by water resources, along $164 million over 28 years. But feedback via Neighbourly shows with Hamilton City people are worried about what it means for Council and Waikato them and the matter is shaping up to be an election issue. It includes concerns about District Council. rates increasing, and who will run the com- Emma James reports on pany. Those concerns will be answered when the public is consulted on the com- the Waipa council’s move pany in 2017. to back the plan. Waikato District Council has given it the nod, and Hamilton City Council will make a decision on whether it will agree to be part of the proposal, this week. If Hamilton decides to go ahead, the plan will be further considered by newly elected councils after the local body elections in October. Then a comprehensive programme will be created to provide information to the public. By law, no decision to form a CCO can be made until the community has been consulted. Source: Cranleigh report ❚ Waipa mayor: Public will have its say on water company, page 3. 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CONTENTS district, Waikato district and Construction tour............................................5 Hamilton city communities has 1 3. Introducing Lawrence................................8 certainly hit a nerve with people. Learn how to make your own Out and about...................................................11 There’s been keen feedback, beeswax wrap. See more What’s on......................................................14-15 especially online through information in the what’s on section. Dr Libby ............................................................... 16 Neighbourly, with people worried about what it will mean to 4. individual communities. People The Antique and Collectors Fair is on are concerned about extra costs at the Tamahere Community Hall on being heaped upon them, loss of Saturday. control of a public resource and to do list This newspaper is the prospect on a public water 2 3 5. subject to NZ Press company being sold over to the The team at Mainstream Green has Council procedures. private sector. some workshops to attend this A complaint must first The biggest fear expressed was month. See what’s on for details. be directed in writing, within one month of the company may be sold publication, to the editor’s email address. overseas. All of these concerns If not satisfied with the response, the should show the Waipa council complaint may be referred to the that it’s got a lot more work to do, Press Council. PO Box 10-879, to explain to the public what it The Terrace, Wellington 6143. means and how it’s going to Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz Please benefit the community. And this 4 5 include copies of the article and all is exactly what the council’s correspondence with the publication. setting out to do over the coming months. We look forward to reporting on its progress and Contact us NEWS DIRECTOR: Lawrence Gullery, 027 839 6388, [email protected]. MANAGER: Pam Ryan, 027 294 1405. hearing more of your comments REPORTER: Emma James, 827 3840, 027 204 2932, [email protected]. ADVERTISING SALES: Manager, Samantha on water resources heading into Cutler, 827 3840, 027 497 9416, [email protected]: Hayley Elvines, [email protected]: Alison the coming council elections. Osborne, [email protected]. CLASSIFIEDS: Angela Farrell, [email protected] (deadline Mondays Lawrence Gullery 4pm) ROP AD DEADLINES: 4pm Thursday DIGITAL EDITIONS: cambridgeedition.co.nz ADDRESS: 13 Anzac St, PO Box 372 News Director Cambridge 3450 MISSED DELIVERY: 827 3840 or [email protected]. 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MY1509. 8.00am - 6.00pm stuff.co.nz JULY 13, 2016, CAMBRIDGE EDITION 3 ‘Let people decide on water’ Meters increasing EMMA JAMES and ELTON RIKIHANA SMALLMAN Waipa residents are one of the highest consumers of water in Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest was New Zealand, consuming 250 on the Governance Group which litres of water per person, per day. settled on a potential structure for Soon, around 11,000 more a ratepayer-owned water residential properties in company. Cambridge, Te Awamutu and He said that is was time for the Kihikihi will be able to see how public to become involved in the much water they go through, as discussion about a Council water metres will be installed in Controlled Organisation (CCO) to parts of the district that don’t run water services. already have them. ‘‘We went into this to get the Water meters have been at best deal for Waipa and we now Ohaupo since 1991 and Pirongia need to go out to the community since 1997. and see what they think. I think The meters will be rolled out we now have a very clear picture during 2016-2017, but no water of what a CCO would look like,’’ bills will be sent out until 2018. he said. Bills will only arrive after two ‘‘The community will need to mock invoices have been sent assess whether the deal on the showing how much water has table is good enough. The been used, and advising what it community should have the would have cost. overriding say as to whether or Waipa District Council project not we go forward.’’ delivery manager Lorraine Waipa councillor Liz Stolwyk Kendrick said mock bills help was in support of the agreement Waipa Councillor Liz Stolwyk and Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest both support a potential ratepayer-owned water company. people realise how much water and said it was an important PHOTO: EMMA JAMES/FAIRFAX NZ they are using. decision for the public to make. ‘‘At the moment, unless you ‘‘Twenty-five per cent of the Bannon, Hazel Barns and Clare St wrangling since the Cranleigh Executive Gavin Ion said the have a water meter, you don’t council’s business will be Pierre voted against the decision. Report, delivered in May 2015, projections are modelled on know what your consumption is,’’ affected,’’ she said. Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson recommended Hamilton City, council’s long-term plan. It’s she said. Most people working in agreed with Mylchreest. Waipa District and Waikato unlikely rates will go down but She said meters make the cost council water departments would ‘‘This has been nearly two Councils to combine their water the size increase should be lower of water more transparent.