Much has changed in the past three years as we have moved from Three Waters reforms under the previous government to Local Water Done Well under the current administraton.
One thing has not changed is the belief by the government that reform is needed and that scale is needed to manage public water supplies, wastewater and urban stormwater.
There is a big hand on the back of council that has steered us forcefully towards amalgamation of council water businesses, with financial incentives for those who do so and major constraints for those that don't.
Western Bay's water assets are (mostly) in good condition but many are approaching end-of-life after 30+ years in the ground.
As well, big increases in government health and environmental standards, while good in themselves, have forced major investment.
There are also new requirements from two new government regulators, covering both health/environmental issues and pricing;
Lastly, we also face the pressures of how to fund waters assets to ensure the systems are not a constraint on building the new housing our region so desperately needs.

Achieved so far:
1) A rigorous research programme and robust debate at council over the future of our waters assets and how best to run them in future;
2) Ongoing investment in council's water assets, including multi-million dollar investments in wastewater plants across the district, including in Waihi Beach, Katikati and Te Puke;
3) Steady progress on developing options to replace the failing Katikati sewerage outfall.

NOTE: achievements are always by the council as a team, not just me!

Next steps:
1) Agreement on the best way forward for waters assets (likely before the election, with the preferred option to form a joint water company with Tauranga City and Thames-Coromandel District Council;
2) Astute and future-focused negotiations to achieve the best outcomes from the decision on the future of waters assets. This includes ensuring there is an effective means for ongoing council policy input;
3) Finalisation of options for future disposal of Katikati wastewater, including public consultation in the lead up to budget commitments.