Submission on the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill-

A not for profit incorporated society, Water New Zealand promotes and enables the sustainable management and development of the water environment. With 1500 members Water New Zealand’s membership is large and diverse, including Territorial Local Authorities, Council Controlled Organisations, water and wastes services providers, the major consultancies involved in providing engineering, planning and research services to the industry, Crown and other research institutes involved in the water and wastes environment, academia, members of the legal fraternity and training providers.

Water New Zealand supports the proposed measures in the Bill aimed at improving transparency and financial accountability in local government operations and welcomes a re-focussing on core activities.

We would now offer to the Committee comment on specific matters in relation to Clauses 31 and 32, concerning contracting the provision of water services, and Clause 41 in reference to performance measures