Hawke’s Bay’s four local councils join Government three waters reform process to access $50m stimulus funding

Wairoa District Council, Napier City Council, Hastings District Council and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council have signed the Government’s memorandum of understanding, opting-in to the first phase of a partnership process to reform three waters service delivery arrangements and unlocking $50m in immediate stimulus funding.

The $50m is allocated across the region as follows:

• Wairoa District Council $11.04m
• Napier City Council $12.51m
• Hastings District Council $15.36m
• Central Hawke’s Bay District Council $11m

Signing the MoU commits councils to:

1. Engage in the first stage of the reform programme – including a willingness to accept the reform objectives and the core design features set out in the MoU
2. The principles of working together with central government and the three waters reform Steering Committee
3. Work with neighbouring councils to consider the creation of multi-regional entities
4. Share information and analysis on their three waters assets and service delivery arrangements.

Under the reform programme, if councils commit to the subsequent stages, further Government funding for three waters will be available to them.

Alex Walker, Mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay says that agreeing to the MoU is a good step for Hawke’s Bay.

“Three waters has been a big conversation in Hawke’s Bay for a number of years. We all know the scale of the challenges that councils face to provide a good level of service and meet the new legislative requirements. Our discussions mean that as a region we are well advanced and ready to take this important step,” says Mayor Walker. 

The MoU is voluntary and non-binding, says Wairoa Mayor, Craig Little.

“By signing it, our councils access $50m in three waters funding, which is very welcome. The funding is a grant and does not commit us to the later stages of Government’s three waters reform process.”

Each council will now enter into a funding agreement with Government, specifying how the money will be spent, and the conditions attached to the funding.