Mackenzie District Council has decided to work with Timaru District Council to deliver water services in the future.
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 24 February, Councillors discussed the best way to manage drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services for our district.
Council had previously decided to keep water services in-house, run through a separate business unit. However, it also agreed to keep its options open. In November 2025, the Department of Internal Affairs asked Council to make changes to its proposed Water Services Delivery Plan. After reviewing this feedback and looking again at the available options, Councillors decided that partnering with Timaru District Council is the best way forward.
Councillors also looked at other possible partnership options, including working with Waitaki District Council and the Southern Waters Group. After considering these options, they chose to continue discussions with Timaru.
The two councils will now begin work to set up a joint Water Services Organisation. A steering group made up of the Chief Executives and elected members from both councils will prepare a draft agreement. This will be presented to Council, along with an implementation plan, at the next Council Water Committee meeting on 31 March 2026.
Further details are available from the Agendas and Minutes section of Council’s website and we will continue to keep the community informed as this work progresses.