Amy Adams pictured in 2019. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The government has appointed a Crown facilitator to help Waitaki District Council amend and resubmit its water service delivery plan under Local Water Done Well.
In a letter to Waitaki mayor Melanie Tavendale, Watts named former MP Amy Adams as the Crown facilitator.
"Hon Adams has extensive government and goverance experience in the South Island and particularly in the Canterbury region," he said.
Tavendale told RNZ the government intervention had happened sooner than expected.
"For a new council this is a lot, because we're not yet even inducted. It will certainly elevate the [water services delivery plan] on our work plan," she said.
Tavendale said she would work to bring councillors up to speed and examine feedback from the Department of Internal Affairs.
She wanted to keep the council directly involved in the process.
"My conversation, right through the election period was, I need to keep us at the table. That, for me, is really important so that we can be across any detail and we can come up with the best decision moving forward for our water plan for Waitaki. That's still my commitment. I'm absolutely wanting to make sure we are part of the conversation," she said.
In a statement, Waitaki District Council chief executive Alex Parmley said the council had worked closely with the Department of Internal Affairs over the last 12 months while developing options for the future of water services.
"We will await direction from our newly elected council on our next steps," he said.
The letter from Watts requested a response from Waitaki District Council by 5 November.
The council submitted its own standalone water services plan in August, after backing out of the Southern Waters partnership with three other councils.
Local Government Minister Simon Watts Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
This plan was rejected by the Department of Internal Affairs earlier this month, with officials ordering the council to review the district's water assets and saying they would be advising the minister about his options to intervene.
Earlier today, Watts announced the coalition was moving ahead with ministerial intervention.
"I have considered my options and have decided to appoint a Crown facilitator, to assist the council to ensure its amended plan contains the information required to accurately assess the financial projections and overall financial sustainability of its plan.
"I would also like to be assured that the council has the time and resources to consider all viable water services delivery models that would benefit Waitaki's ratepayers."
Watts said the council was now required to conduct an asset condition assessment and update its plan by 30 June 2026, allowing six months for the assessment and a further three months to amend the plan.
"I am confident the Crown facilitator will help ensure the Council has the expertise and tools to undertake its asset condition assessment and consider its delivery model options, and update its plan accordingly.
"Our priority is for the Waitaki ratepayers to have a plan that will ensure the costs of necessary water infrastructure upgrades are fair, transparent, and do not lead to disproportionate rate increases."
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