Water Battle Finally Plugged

By John Freer

It was almost appropriate that the battlelines associated with this campaign, flowed through right to the final stanza.

When Three Waters originated it caused conflict, it did ease a little with the arrival of Local Waters Done Well, then yesterday it was the Thames Coromandel council table which was the venue for the final act.

To set the position, it is the story about the future management of water for Thames Coromandel residents, and their district councillors were about to finally decide the epic’s outcome.

There were two options available – the first was for future water management to remain totally within council, option two was to form a partnership with one or more other councils.

Right from the outset, even before the relevant agenda line was mentioned, the jockeying continued. Thames Coromandel council meetings always open with a public forum where people have the chance to speak.

One person fronted, surprisingly being the neighbouring Mayor of Hauraki District, Mayor Toby Adams, who also happens to be the chairman of the Waikato Mayoral Forum. His council is yet to formally decide on their path but have clearly indicated an intention to work with seven other Waikato councils under a Waikato Waters Done Well option.

While saying he was not there to sway council’s decision, there was little doubting that his intention was to make Thames Coromandel council number eight in the Waikato option.

When the agenda item arrived later in the morning, Cr John Morrissey was quick off the mark moving that council support option one that meaning it should manage water itself and then potentially consider other options at a later stage. He had a supporter in Cr Martin Rodley who seconded the motion.

After some clarity, Mayor Len Salt opened debate on the motion asking all councillors to indicate before they spoke if they were for or against the motion.

Three experts and a senior council staff member outlined the information which did not support Cr Morrissey’s motion, instead opting for council to join Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga District Council to form a water services organisation.

They were part of a working group with three councillors, who oversaw consultation, workshops and numerous meetings and subsequently providing comprehensive information to support the recommendation.

Before the motion debate opened, Chief Executive, Aileen Lawrie played a blinder. She captured the impact the decision would have on ratepayers and council staff, she brought in the efficiencies, the need for a long-term view and the use of researched based modelling.

Aileen said the council needed to move now and secure its place at the table. She said for councillors their view was what is in the long-term interest of the ratepayers.

Cr Morrissey referenced previous outsourcing of council works which he said was not a good decision, he described supporting information at best, as a guess, and he feared a loss of democracy.

No one else stood to support the motion.

Instead, Cr Delli Connell offered her support to the Bay of Plenty option, therefore opposing the motion. Cr Peter Revell, opposed the motion, indicating his support for option two, highlighting cost reductions, saying it was a decision for the future and council needed to take into account the information which had been provided.

Cr Terry Walker, another supporting option two, referenced the consultation and the fact appropriate partners were ready now. Taking the same line, Cr John Grant emphasised the credibility of people who worked with council on the project, continuing that option two was a better overall package for ratepayers.

Mayor Len Salt was tackled by Cr Revell when he began to speak and not indicating whether he was for or against the motion. The mayor believed there were benefits on both sides but looking to the future, his support went with the Bay of Plenty partnership.

With the motion then being voted down, it was a mere formality for councillors to support the establishment of a water services organisation with Tauranga and Western Bays councils through a subsequent motion.

Council staff will prepare a timeline and get the plan underway – it must be completed by early September.