Southern Water Done Well consultation opens

Consultation was publicly opened today on one of the most important issues their communities will face for many years - the future management and delivery of water services.

Clutha, Gore, Waitaki, and Central Otago district councils - who form Southern Water Done Well - will seek feedback on three options for water services delivery under the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation.

In their consultation documents, adopted this week, the councils are united in their preferred option for the future, a jointly owned Council Controlled Organisation (CCO).

Councils are required to submit a Water Services Delivery Plan to the Government by early September. The plan must show a proposed water services delivery model that builds resilient, sustainable networks and complies with legislation.

The consultation outcome will help inform Southern Water Done Well’s water services delivery plan.

The three options councils are seeking feedback on are:

• Option 1 – a jointly owned Council Controlled Organisation, which is the preferred option
• Option 2 – a stand-alone Council Controlled Organisation
• Option 3 – an in-house business unit

Information sessions will also be held and the public are invited to attedn:

Milton: Coronation Hall Monday 19 May at 6:30pm

Balclutha: TPŌMA War Memorial and Community Centre Tuesday 20 May at 6:30pm

Tapanui: West Otago Community Centre Wednesday 21 May at 6:30pm

Consultation closes Friday, 6 June 2025.

Visit our website to read more and have your say.www.cluthadc.govt.nz/southern-water

Steve Hill
Chief Executive