Unanimous votes by Hamilton councillors today has taken the city one step closer to forming a joint water company with Waikato District to deliver water services from mid-2026.
City’s elected members unanimously agreed with a staff recommendation that a council-controlled organisation (CCO) be formed with its neighbouring council to jointly deliver drinking water and wastewater services. Stormwater would continue to be managed by each council, under contract to the CCO.
Waikato District Council will consider the same recommendation tomorrow and, if agreed, both councils will seek community feedback next year.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said today’s decision was based on a fundamental truth, widely acknowledged by all Elected Members.
She hoped a two-council CCO would be a first step towards a larger, Waikato-wide model and “our door is wide open to working with other councils and will stay open.”
“We simply cannot deliver the infrastructure our city needs by going it alone. We cannot meet our growth obligations and right now, we don’t have a mechanism that allows us to spread the cost of borrowing for large water projects. This is a fairer way forward for ratepayers that over time, will drive efficiencies that can only come from working at scale.
“Both Hamilton and Waikato have significant growth challenges. We need to get on as partners and build infrastructure, in an affordable way, that will enable more housing and support economic activity,” she said.
Today’s decision follows an analysis of two other options – forming an in-house business unit or a Hamilton-only CCO. The total amount of rates paid would be the same under all options, but a CCO would allow the city to better manage growth and make it easier for both councils to work across boundaries on vital water infrastructure.
Council will consult the community on a CCO, and at least one other option, early in 2025 and make a final decision by June next year.
To know more about how water services are delivered in Hamilton, click here
