If successful in the election this year, National Party Leader Christopher Luxon says the Three Waters model will be scrapped and stricter water regulations will instead be enforced on local councils.
However, the opposition's new model has not altered Labour's longstanding criticism regarding a need for real financial investment.
In a statement released Saturday morning, Luxon said the "undemocratic and unworkable" Three Waters scheme introduced by Labour will not effectively address the "sub-standard status quo" of water management in the country.
"Instead, a National Government will set and enforce strict water quality standards and require councils to invest in the ongoing maintenance and replacement of their vital water infrastructure, while keeping control of the assets that their ratepayers have paid for," he said.
Four key points are listed in the party's plan: "Repeal Three Waters and scrap the four co-governed mega-entities; Restore council ownership and control; Set strict rules for water quality and investment in infrastructure; Ensure water services are financially sustainable".
But this approach is "effectively arguing for the status quo", Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told media today.
"It's not just a questions about regulation. We know that there's a massive investment required, so we’re talking $130-180 billion of investment that's going to be required in our water infrastructure over the next 30 years or so.
"If we simply say to councils that's your problem to deal with... you're potentially looking at about $8000 a year on rates," Hipkins said.
Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty agreed, saying National "have announced a policy of higher rates in the middle of a cost of living crisis".
"Our reforms are about delivering clean and safe drinking water at an affordable price for New Zealanders. Under National's plan, [the] rates bill will skyrocket," he said.
"They are setting high standards but putting in place none of the economies of scale to pay for them. This will mean councils have to hike rates to pay for the requirements set by National.
"National has spent the last three years talking a big game but their policy is just the status quo with higher rates. They have no plan to pay for it other than shifting costs onto the rate payer.”
Party leader Christopher Luxon has pledged to instead enforce stricter water regulations on local councils. (Source: 1News)
Speaking today to a Blue Greens forum, Luxon said long-term financial sustainability of water assets is the key to restoring New Zealanders' confidence in their infrastructure and decisionmaking.
"We have to end the practice of some councils of running down their water assets to build art galleries or cycleways, as important as they are, but as a result neglecting their core responsibility for vital services."
Luxon said councils "will be required to demonstrate a clear plan to deliver ongoing investment in water infrastructure. Those plans will need to be approved by the Minister of Local Government".
As part of his party's plan, Luxon said water quality regulator Taumata Arowai would continue to set strict standards, while National would establish a Water Infrastructure Regulator within the Commerce Commission to enforce standards for long-term water infrastructure investment.
He said councils would be required to put aside money to spend exclusively on water infrastructure.
"National’s plan supports greater access for councils to long-term borrowing, which is an appropriate way to fund long-life water infrastructure," he said.
"One way to improve access to borrowing would be for neighbouring councils to form Regional Council Controlled Organisations. Ultimately, it is up to the councils but we would envisage it is likely a number of regional groups will emerge to deliver better water services.
“Financial sustainability will enable the long-term investment in infrastructure that will deliver the quality drinking water, cleaner rivers and swimmable beaches that New Zealanders want and expect."
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