Safe and Affordable Water for the North Shore We've listened to feedback and recently announced major changes to our affordable water reforms, to deliver cost savings to households on the North Shore while also making sure that the work is now led and delivered at a regional level. Everyone in our community deserves safe, reliable and affordable water services that keep families and our beaches and environment healthy. But after years of under investment, our water services - our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks are facing challenges and need upgrading. Kicking the can down the road and choosing not to address our national water infrastructure comes at a cost. We know that, without reform, Auckland households will face rates rising to a projected $3,910 a year by 2054 on average. As a local MP, I'm not prepared to put extra costs on local families during a global cost of living crisis. That's why we've taken another look at our water reform programme and recently announced a pragmatic solution on a way forward. Our affordable water reforms will fix New Zealand's water infrastructure and make sure that households don't foot the bill through huge rate increases. It's a plan that could save families thousands of dollars, with projected savings of around $2,450 a year by 2054 for households here on the North Shore in the future. There's been a lot of feedback on our plan and we've heard it loud and clear. The reforms need to save households from ballooning costs while also being more locally led. Our changes seek to strike that balance. Labour NZ Moving water utilities away from Auckland Council's balance sheet allows a lot more headroom for borrowing providing an opportunity to make much needed investment to stop polluting our beaches, improve resilience in the event of storms, and secure water quality. Our water entity will be publicly owned, and locally led by industry professionals who will be appointed by local representatives, for us that's Auckland Council and Mana Whenua. Advertisement These are once in a generation reforms and it's so important that we strike the right balance. Our plan strengthens the links between the water entities and our local community making sure that no matter where in our community people live, they can access safe water and beaches, and reliable, affordable drinking water now, and into the future. If you want to find out more, there's lots of information on the website: waterservicesreform.govt.nz, or email me your feedback at Shanan.Halbert@parliament.govt.nz Shanan Shanan Halbert MP for Northcote 0800 222 007 | 61 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead, Auckland shanan.halbert@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Shanan Halbert MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1050 Safe and Affordable Water for the North Shore We've listened to feedback and recently announced major changes to our affordable water reforms , to deliver cost savings to households on the North Shore while also making sure that the work is now led and delivered at a regional level . Everyone in our community deserves safe , reliable and affordable water services that keep families and our beaches and environment healthy . But after years of under investment , our water services - our drinking water , wastewater and stormwater networks are facing challenges and need upgrading . Kicking the can down the road and choosing not to address our national water infrastructure comes at a cost . We know that , without reform , Auckland households will face rates rising to a projected $ 3,910 a year by 2054 on average . As a local MP , I'm not prepared to put extra costs on local families during a global cost of living crisis . That's why we've taken another look at our water reform programme and recently announced a pragmatic solution on a way forward . Our affordable water reforms will fix New Zealand's water infrastructure and make sure that households don't foot the bill through huge rate increases . It's a plan that could save families thousands of dollars , with projected savings of around $ 2,450 a year by 2054 for households here on the North Shore in the future . There's been a lot of feedback on our plan and we've heard it loud and clear . The reforms need to save households from ballooning costs while also being more locally led . Our changes seek to strike that balance . Labour NZ Moving water utilities away from Auckland Council's balance sheet allows a lot more headroom for borrowing providing an opportunity to make much needed investment to stop polluting our beaches , improve resilience in the event of storms , and secure water quality . Our water entity will be publicly owned , and locally led by industry professionals who will be appointed by local representatives , for us that's Auckland Council and Mana Whenua . Advertisement These are once in a generation reforms and it's so important that we strike the right balance . Our plan strengthens the links between the water entities and our local community making sure that no matter where in our community people live , they can access safe water and beaches , and reliable , affordable drinking water now , and into the future . If you want to find out more , there's lots of information on the website : waterservicesreform.govt.nz , or email me your feedback at Shanan.Halbert@parliament.govt.nz Shanan Shanan Halbert MP for Northcote 0800 222 007 | 61 Birkenhead Avenue , Birkenhead , Auckland shanan.halbert@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Shanan Halbert MP , Parliament Buildings , Wellington 1050