6. Question No. 6—Local GovernmentHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 6—Local Government6. Hon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) to the Minister of Local Government: What advice if any has she received on the likely costs to ratepayers as a result of the Action Plan for Healthy Waterways including freshwater storm water and wastewater?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): I too want to acknowledge the victims and all those that have been impacted at Whakaari / White Island. The Minister for the Environment is responsible for the Action Plan for Healthy Waterways. As Minister of Local Government I have received advice from the Department of Internal Affairs on the estimated costs for councils complying with the standard that could be applied under the current National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management in relation to waste-water discharge.Hon Jacqui Dean: When she said in answer to oral question No. 5 on 11 September in relation to the freshwater programme I think we've come to a common ground about what the real pressure is in the cost space and how we can work through those issues." what is that real pressure and how much will it cost?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: There are real costs as alluded to in the oral question and response that I made in the House and those costs—we undertook to gain greater clarity through a report which we commissioned to ensure that there was full visibility to the local government sector of upgrading drinking-water treatment plants as well as waste-water treatment plants. That had never been done before in the previous nine years. That's why the conversation we're having with local government about pending impacts of increased standards and how they respond to water service delivery is a very important conversation which they want to have.Hon Jacqui Dean: What advice has she received or sought on Gore District Council's concern that the financial costs of meeting its obligations under the proposed freshwater rules may cost $60 million which based on 6000 rateable properties is more than $300 per household per year for 30 years?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: In relation to the freshwater costs those matters are for the Minister for the Environment but what I can say to Gore is the cost of upgrading waste-water systems in Gore is a historical challenge that is unique. Gore has combined waste-water pipes—that is sewerage and stormwater flow in the same pipes—and it means that untreated or partially treated sewage regularly flows into the Mataura River when it rains. Auckland is the only other place in the country with combined waste-water systems and in both cases it's a significant challenge to overcome. Auckland has scale; Gore does not so there are some very serious issues that Gore needs to respond to.Hon Jacqui Dean: Is she concerned that a town with a median income of $30800 such as Gore could be hit with an extra cost on the rates bill that could make living in Gore unaffordable for some people?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: In relation to the pending costs that in part had been foreshadowed by Gore in their long-term plan the need to upgrade waste-water treatment systems and separate the current combined system that they will have and look at different water service delivery arrangements will in part be the solution. But it will be difficult for them to respond by themselves. That is why I am encouraged by conversations that are happening across the country of councils working together to deal with these serious issues and the cost impacts of upgrading their treatment plants.Hon Jacqui Dean: Does she think that $300 per household per annum will also be reflected in a rising cost for rental properties across Gore?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Those are matters of speculation but I do know that there is real concern amongst many communities. When there's a serious downpour in a combined system you will have stormwater and waste water going directly into rivers and that's the kind of environment that nobody wants for their kids."