Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Water Services Delivery Plan has been assessed and accepted by the Local Government Secretary, marking a significant milestone in the Local Water Done Well journey.

The plan outlines how water, wastewater, and stormwater services will be delivered over the next 10 years and confirms council’s intention to establish a joint Water Organisation with Tauranga City Council from July 1, 2027.

Councils have been required to consider and decide how they will deliver these services as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well legislation for managing their water services.

In August 2025, Western Bay Council decided to join Tauranga City Council to establish a multi-council Council Controlled Organisation for the delivery of water, wastewater, and stormwater services. This partnership approach is designed to ensure long-term affordability, resilience, and compliance with new national standards.

“The acceptance of our Water Services Delivery Plan is a strong endorsement of the mahi Council has done to date. It gives our community confidence that we are on the right track – taking a careful, considered approach to ensure our water services remain resilient, and future-focused,” Western Bay of Plenty Council’s Programme Director – Water Organisation, Adele Henderson said.

The plan was developed following extensive technical analysis, community engagement, and the signing of a Commitment Agreement that sets out shared principles of affordability, transparency, environmental guardianship, and tangata whenua involvement.

“We are currently in the due diligence and establishment planning phase, which will continue through March 2026. This includes detailed work on governance, financial sustainability, operational planning, and ensuring the new Water Organisation is set up for long-term success,” Henderson said.

“Council is taking a measured approach, working through each step with care and in partnership with Tauranga City, to ensure the new entity is robust and ready to deliver for our communities.”

Following March 2026, the next phase will see the formal establishment of the Water Organisation, including the appointment of directors and finalisation of governance arrangements.

To guide the next phase of the Local Water Done Well programme, the council has established an Elected Member Working Group. The elected members who have been appointed to this group are Mayor James Denyer, and Councillors Grant Dally, Rodney Joyce, Graeme Elvin and Darlene Dinsdale.

The five appointed members will represent Western Bay of Plenty District Council in both the Elected Member Working Group and, together with five Tauranga City Council councillors, form the joint Governance Group overseeing the establishment of the new Multi-Council Water Organisation.

For more Local Water Done Well information, including the Water Services Delivery Plan visit: Local Water Done Well | Your Place Western Bay of Plenty