At its August 2022 meeting Council decided to apply for the first portion of $1.55m from the Government's Three Waters Better Off Funding to satisfy a September deadline for applications. It noted in an accompanying letter that it would still strongly oppose aspects of the Three Waters Reforms publicly. It also reserved the right to not sign the final agreement depending on whether Government accepted requested changes to the draft funding agreement.
The Government’s Better Off fund is a $2bn package of funding to invest in community wellbeing. It does not pay for three waters infrastructure. Kaikōura is eligible for $1.55m now and a further $4.55 million from 1st July 2024.
The DIA informed Kaikōura District Council that its application for the shortlisted projects was successful, but confirmed that they are not prepared to make changes to their draft funding agreement.
At an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 14 December, Kaikōura District Council Mayor and Councillors voted six to two in favour of signing the final funding agreement for $1.55m from the Three Waters ‘Better Off’ Fund which will benefit 12 community projects. This was following a request from Council to have amendments made to the draft funding agreement being declined by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Council also voted unanimously to continue to voice its opposition to aspects of the Three Waters Reforms and that its opposition would be noted in the funding acceptance letter.
CEO Will Doughty acknowledged that central government had put elected members in a very challenging position by once again refusing to listen. “It was a tough decision whichever way they voted, requiring a considered balance of principles, conscience and community benefit.” Mayor Craig Mackle noted that the current government is hell bent on pushing the aggressive reform agenda at all costs to local democracy, but that KDC will continue to voice its opposition. It is anticipated that the DIA will release the funding upon signing the agreement and so the 13 community projects can get underway early in the new year.
Community amenities, housing, sports, and tourism are in line for a potential boost from the funding, shortlisted by Kaikōura District Council from a wish list that could not be accommodated in the Long Term Plan and are unlikely to be funded in the short to medium term.
The list includes;
- Upgrading play equipment and surfacing at Gooches Beach playground
- Upgrading the toilets and creating a public meeting space at West End carpark,
- Providing a toilet for Churchill Park
- Support for the new sports facility at Takahanga Reserve
- Seed funding for an asphalted pump track
- Support towards International Dark Skies accreditation
- Additional upgrades to the Scout Hall
- Additional Upgrades to Kekerengu town hall
- Feasibility study for papakainga housing
- A Kaikōura township flood protection feasibility study
- Reseal of the community parking area for the pensioner units
- Upgrade to the Kaikōura Lookout.
It is expected that the funding towards these projects will be released early 2023.