IAWAI Water Services Strategy

I think generally combining regions for water infrastructure will benefit everyone long term, and having a focus on infrastructure, although expensive is very necessary. We have seen the effects of ignoring upgrading in favour of looking good for keeping rates lower for the last 30 years, and it doesn't work out well.
I would like to see council continue to be firm in their support of engagement with Maori, and the inclusion of Maori in the running of IAWAI.
Also, the name is not great - doesn't exactly roll off the tongue...how is it pronounced? eye-why? ee-aa-why? yah-why? anywho, thats not exactly a major issue!

Partially support

I think this growth should be paid upfront by developers instead of extracted slowly from the household. Increasing development contributions feels like a more appropriate way to recoup this cost, and more timely for when the actual work is required. Spreading that cost across 25 years for the household doesnt make much sense. Paying a 'growth' charge on a house thats 20 years old will seem pretty silly in 2046.

No

These minor dwellings are often to support family members. Adding an addition $100 ($2500 over the lifetime of the proposal) seems a bit unfair, particularly if there is going to be a consumption portion of our water bills, which will increase with the addition of more people on the property.
If you are going to apply this logic, then it should also be applied to additional rooms added to a house, or the addition of an ensuite (which may already happen if you are charging based on pans), or based on the number of people living in a house.

E-newsletter

Yes

Partially support

The criteria for HCC and Waikato District seem to be quite different.
Will that be reviewed as IAWAI becomes more established and pricing becomes more harmonised?

No, these are my own personal views