Letters to the editor: Central government ignores local government at its peril

The Government has told councils they must participate in Three Waters reform. Photo / Getty Images

We have seen a lot of debate about Three Waters reform, some for, most against.

A couple of the ''for'' groups have pointed to the 100-year-old pipes being replaced before the work construction work begins on Cameron Rd.

I guess they think the pipes should have been replaced some time ago.

Well, this is what pipes do, and there is no point in replacing them until they fail or we need a larger capacity.

I believe the replacement was planned for this work, as it should have been.

My point is that our existing council staff are more than capable of running our water assets.

In my view, the main problem arises when the Government changes the rules on infill housing.

New legislation allowing three houses on a section will immediately put our underground infrastructure in need of replacement.

Guess who will pay for anything arising from that? What about the need for extra parking when there are three times as many people living in the small urban streets?

If we look at the way central government ignores the fears and expectations of ratepayers, I wonder if it considers that local government represents virtually every person in New Zealand and it ignores them at their peril.

Labour's previous period of government in coalition with NZ First was very successful, in my opinion, as they had someone to block the stupid ideas. No coalition this time so Labour can do what they like.

Please protest the Three Waters decision.

Dan Russell
Tauranga

Tauranga has been let down

In my view, it seems somewhat convenient that the council is presently announcing possible future water restrictions (News November 10) just when the Government, which appointed our commissioners, is pushing ahead with Three Waters reforms.

Is this supposed to say that we need to be part of the Three Waters reforms? And if this is the case, why have the residents of Tauranga been kept in the dark for so long?

Just a week ago we were informed that the Waiari Water Supply project was not the "silver bullet" that it was supposed to be and now we are being told we are potentially facing year-round restrictions.

My belief as a resident of Tauranga is that we have been let down.

Former council elected members I have spoken with state they were unaware that there was a water issue and one said he was actually quite angry as they had never before been informed by staff that such problems existed.

Therefore, the question that should be asked is why have they not been kept informed by the staff as to what could lay ahead of us in regard to fresh water?

Mike Baker
Bethlehem

Making homes self-reliant

Further to my recent letter about self-reliant houses being able to harvest rainwater. Did you know it costs about the same to install underground rainwater tanks for your self-reliant house as the council charges you as part of your consent fee?

Wouldn't it be fair to give house owners the option of installing a complete underground rainwater system rather than the same or a similar cost being added in the
building consent fee?

The more rainwater that is harvested by homes and businesses, the less impact on council infrastructure - both stormwater and waste systems.

GL Hodgson
Tauranga

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