Whanganui Approves New Water Services Entity with Ruapehu

Whanganui District Council has taken a significant step forward in reorganizing its water services by voting to form a new entity with Ruapehu District Council. This decision marks the final choice among neighboring councils to adopt a new delivery model for water services, and it has sparked considerable debate over the balance between cost efficiency and local governance.

The new council-controlled organization (CCO) will be owned by both Whanganui and Ruapehu district councils, with the goal of managing drinking water, wastewater, and potentially stormwater services. The model is based on non-harmonized or 'local pricing,' meaning residents will be charged only for the cost of service in their own district, while still benefiting from the savings generated through a larger, more efficient system.

Mayor Andrew Tripe described the decision as a