There’s a very big piece of Council work open now for feedback, and it’s about services that we mostly take for granted.

Local Water Done Well is a Government-led programme aimed at ensuring that councils around the country all deliver the same high quality drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to their communities.

When it comes to pipes and plants, we’re in good shape compared to other areas of New Zealand. Water services have historically been done well here in the Ashburton District – those people on urban schemes can happily drink water from the tap knowing it is safe, and happily flush their toilet knowing the wastewater is properly treated and disposed of.

So there’s a chance that when the consultation documents arrive in your letterbox, you might think we’re already doing a good job and not open the pack. I urge you to open it – these decisions required by Local Water Done Well are the biggest decisions Council will make in many, many years, so it’s important to hear your feedback.

Council is proposing an inhouse stand-alone business unit to deliver water services in the future, partly based on what residents have told us over recent years about the need to retain strong Council control over this work and ownership of the asset.

Despite our good work this far, we know that further investment will be needed in water services to meet future regulation and Council must do the very best it can to achieve compliance. The reality is ratepayers will pay more for these water services in the future.

Going online and having your say is the easiest way. If you don’t want to comment, then at least reading the document will give you an appreciation of the infrastructure and money involved in the smooth operation of our water services.

Another piece of important work, especially for Methven, is in its final week of consultation. We want to hear what people think about the proposed Methven community strategic plan, which sets out the town’s aspirations for the next 10 years.

Learn more about both of these consultations at itsourplace.nz.