Otago Mayoral Forum - December 2024

Forum highlights

Hon Kieran McAnulty

• The Forum hosted Hon Kieran McAnulty, Labour Spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and Regional Development, to discuss issues of shared interest.

Water services delivery

• Forum members shared updates on water services reform discussions at their respective councils, ahead of a visit from DIA officials. Later, Bex Sullivan, Deputy Executive Director, Water Services Policy, Legislation & Stewardship and Marlon Bridge, Chief Technical Advisor from the Department of Internal Affairs joined the Forum to discuss ongoing water services delivery reform matters. Mr Bridge noted that DIA can provide support to councils and groups of councils, while ensuring councils maintain overall control of the process.  

Waste funding advocacy

• Members considered a draft letter expressing the Forum’s expectation that waste levy funding remain available for waste initiatives, and that future changes to waste funding, policy and legislation include consultation with councils.  

Wastewater standards 

• Otago Regional Council CE Richard Saunders led a discussion on new wastewater performance standards and their potential impact on consenting processes in Otago. Mr Saunders advised that the new standards will have a big impact on regional councils. Wastewater facilities will be required to meet (but not exceed) the required standard with limited exceptions.

Minutes

• Signed minutes for this meeting are included in the papers for the Forum's next meeting.

  Agenda and papers from the December meeting

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