Responses to the first of our stockwater exit surveys are arriving at Council, with users of water from the Methven Auxiliary intake the first to take part.

Council sent letters to around 200 stockwater users earlier this month, asking them if they would need water if the intake was closed. It is part of Council’s decision to exit the delivery of stockwater services, as per the Long Term Plan 2024-34.

Those users have been steadily responding using the paper survey provided or via the online link also provided; we’ve asked them to get back to us by Monday 17 February, so that deadline is fast approaching.

The wider community will have its turn to have a say on the Methven Auxiliary intake in mid-March, and this is where groups like the Methven Community Board, Forest and Bird or those who have thoughts about a race but don’t pay for the stockwater can have their say.

As part of the stockwater exit work, we’re also currently asking the wider community about the Pudding Hill stockwater intake and that survey is open now on Council’s consultation page itsourplace.nz.

We've already surveyed stockwater users of Pudding Hill water and know 70 per cent don’t need it.
This two-stage survey process will be the same for all the 17 stockwater intakes Council will consider as part of its decision to exit the service – users first, then the wider community, followed by a discussion with key stakeholders and then a Council decision.

The order of intakes is part of a Stockwater Exit Transition Plan, but if a group of people come to us with a solid proposal to take over an intake then we can consider it earlier.

The whole process will generate a lot of communication in the stockwater space over the next two and a half years and it’s important that people give us feedback when their time arrives. We literally don’t want anyone left high and dry, so engaging is key.

One of the easiest ways to keep up with progress on this project, and to know when it’s your turn to speak up, is to sign up for email updates at ashburtondc.govt.nz/stockwater