Veolia ANZ has strongly supported the aim of the Local Government (Water Services) Bill during its appearance before the NZ Finance and Expenditure Committee, saying that the delivery of New Zealand’s water services requires a comprehensive and continued overhaul if it is to meet the country’s future needs.
During the appearance New Zealand Country Director, Ms Emma Brand, said that while water assets should always remain publicly owned, the only way to bring these assets back to the standard expected by every New Zealander was to more deeply engage with the private sector.
“It is only through increased private sector engagement that the required investments in infrastructure, modern technology sourced from global partners and skilled human capital can be provided,” said Ms Brand.
“Working together, public bodies and the private sector can navigate a way to the modern water infrastructure Kiwi’s deserve without financially overburdening local councils and their ratepayers. Local Government authorities can’t be asked to alone bear the entire cost of rebuilding these vital assets. We all have a role to play.”
To help get New Zealand’s water infrastructure back on track, Veolia ANZ made the following recommendations in its latest submission:
- Increased investment in funding and programs that will enhance the skills of local workers in the water industry to ensure a long-term workforce.
- More flexible and streamlined immigration pathways for suitably skilled workers who have the capability to upgrade, build, maintain and operate water facilities, and train more locals to close the skills gap shortage.
- Prioritise opportunities for Māori to contribute to the decision-making processes that relate to water services.
- Increase flexibility in the contracting model for water services. In particular, introducing 30 to 50-year term contracts, which would create certainty and allow greater capital to become available for investments. This would enable increased long-term partnerships capable of building, upgrading and expanding water infrastructure.
- Simplifying the governance framework for water organisations to reduce complexity, balance political influence against local needs and vest sufficient power in the boards of these organisations. This is to attract experienced directors and retain some authority over local infrastructure to deliver the services needed without delay.
- Additional powers for water service providers to enter privately owned land to improve and maintain water assets as needed.
