Whilst Manawatū District Council is strongly opposed to the Government’s Three Water Reform model, it was agreed at this week’s Council meeting to make an application for the tranche one funding. Council Chief Executive Shayne Harris delivered a report to Council in which he confirmed meetings with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) resulted in strong indications that the Community Hub Redevelopment project would qualify for funding under the criteria.

Councillors had earlier questioned if by putting in an application that was successful, they would waive any right to vocalise their opposition to the Three Water Reforms. Manawatū District Council has been assured that they can continue to pushback against the reforms and will continue to do so through Communities 4 Local Democracy – a group comprising 31 other councils from across New Zealand who oppose the government’s approach.

If Council’s application to the Better Off Funding is successful, this could free up money that had been earmarked for the Community Hub Redevelopment to be utilised for other projects.

$500 million has been made available to councils throughout New Zealand in the first tranche of Three Waters Better Off Funding, which has no direct impact on our ratepayers. However, tranche two funding of $2 billion, not due until July 2024, would be a direct debt to the new four Water Services entities.