What the new Water Services Delivery Plans mean for territorial authorities

As of 2nd September 2024, new laws have been introduced requiring territorial authorities to prepare a Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP).

The plans will require councils to provide information on their water services, how much they need to invest, and how they plan to finance and deliver it through their preferred water services delivery model.

The plan itself must be submitted no later than 12 months after the date on which this section came into force. This means that action needs to be taken swiftly to ensure authorities meet the deadline while ensuring their plans suit their territory’s requirements and preferred water services delivery model.

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What makes a WSDP?

Each territorial authority must prepare a Water Services Delivery Plan, but it’s important to note that these can be join plans with other territorial authorities. These plans are designed to identify the current state of water services and prepare for financial investment into these services, and must be delivered before September 2025.

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WSDP Requirements

• The plan must identify the current state of the authority’s water services;

• It should identify how much they need to invest and how they plan to finance and deliver any projects or upgrades through their preferred water services delivery model;

• The WSDP should demonstrate publicly the authority’s commitment to deliver water services in a way that meets quality standards, is financially sustainable, and support the housing growth and urban development specified in the authority’s long-term plan;

• It must cover a period of no less than 10 consecutive financial years, starting with the 2024-25 financial year;

• They may include information that covers an additional 20 consecutive financial years, if the information identifies investment requirements for water services infrastructure or to support future housing growth and urban development;

• The plan must relate to all water services, even if stormwater is staying with councils.

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Morphum Environmental is available to support territorial authorities through the development of your WSDP to ensure robust plans that meet requirements ahead of the deadline.

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The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024

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On Monday 2nd September 2024, the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 gained royal assent, introducing a section specifically outlining WSDP requirements.

You can read the section related to WSDP’s on the New Zealand Legislation website here

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If you would like to contact our experienced 3 waters strategy engineers, reach out to Morphum Environmental here:

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