Policies for today and infrastructure for tomorrow are the major topics of the first board meeting for IAWAI as an operational entity.
The meeting also marks the first occasion the full independent Board of six will meet, after three further appointees were confirmed in May, joining three existing Establishment Board members.
IAWAI was created to deliver sustainable water and wastewater services and reduce the impacts of the rising costs of those services for its communities. 100% owned by Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils, and partnered with Waikato-Tainui, it can deliver efficiencies greater than the councils can on their own.
Addressing those financial challenges, and working with the community on future options, was highlighted by IAWAI chief executive Peter Winder in his report.
Ensuring services remain affordable and financially sustainable for customers, while delivering the scale of investment required to support growth, strengthen resilience and meet regulatory expectations means balancing priorities.
This balancing act “will require careful consideration of funding models, customer impacts, and the timing and sequencing of investment,” Winder noted.
“A key priority will be progressing the second Water Services Strategy and engaging with our communities on the choices that shape our future.”
Other agenda items include confirming further policies and structures to guide the organisation in its operational phase, before the Board moves into confidential session to consider its first major infrastructure project contract award as a standalone organisation.
The contract is for construction of a new 25-million litre drinking water reservoir in central Hamilton, along with associated supporting infrastructure.
Funded by the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, the project will ensure a reliable, high-quality water supply for residents, businesses, and Waikato Hospital. Increasing the water supply will support central city growth and increase the supply of drinking water and capacity for firefighting.
The location at the Ruakiwi site at Hamilton Lake (next to the existing Ruakiwi Reservoir) allows the best and efficient (by gravity) water supply to the city and has supplied the central city with water for over 100 years.
The project will draw from $150.6 million in Crown funding from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) allocated to Hamilton City Council for a range of infrastructure projects to enable more homes.
Details of the contract award and project timing, if approved, will be released once final negotiations are complete.
The meeting, held at Hamilton City Council’s Committee Room One, will be livestreamed here. Read the agenda here.
