10645 (2024). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Local Government

10645 (2024). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Local Government: Does he stand by the Government's commitment to "restore council ownership and control of water assets"; and if so, will he guarantee balance sheet separation of water assets will be possible for all councils where it is sought?

Hon Simeon Brown: The Water Services Acts Repeal Act passed in February 2024 repealed the previous Government’s legislation, restoring continued council ownership and control of water assets. Balance sheet separation is one way of supporting financial sustainability, which councils may choose to utilise as part of their future water services delivery model. My expectation is that councils will employ financing tools that best meet their local objectives for water service delivery, while meeting bottom-line expectations on financial sustainability. This Government is focused on creating options for councils to support them in developing water services delivery models that are financially sustainable, not forcing solutions upon them.