Water Services Council-Controlled Organisation

Queenstown Lakes District’s new dedicated water services council-controlled organisation was incorporated as a company on 1 July 2026 under the name QLDC 3Waters Ltd. Between now and 1 July 2027, the company will put in place the governance, people, systems and operational capability needed to deliver water services to the district in a manner that meets the new standards required for service delivery, regulatory compliance, and plans for long-term infrastructure sustainability.  

Ownership and structure

QLDC 3Waters Limited is 100% owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) on behalf of our hapori/communities. It has been established as a council-controlled organisation (CCO), a company structure that retains ownership and accountability with QLDC while giving governance oversight of the day-to-day management to an independent Board of directors appointed by QLDC.

QLDC, as shareholder, will set the organisation’s strategic priorities through a Statement of Expectations and will monitor performance of the Board.

The law requires the company to remain council-owned. It cannot be privatised while it operates as the district's water services provider. Further, the company constitution approved by QLDC provides that the company cannot pay dividends. Instead, any financial surplus stays within the company and will be reinvested back into water services to improve infrastructure.

From 1 July 2027, the company will take over responsibility for delivering water supply, wastewater and stormwater services for the district. It will also have the water assets and associated debt and liabilities currently held by QLDC transferred to it. Until then, QLDC continues to deliver these services as normal while the company is established.

About the placeholder name

QLDC 3Waters Ltd is the company's legal incorporation name. It is anticipated that a trading name will be confirmed by the end of September 2026.

What this means for you

During the establishment year (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), there is no change to your water service, how you are billed, or who to contact for day-to-day enquiries or faults. Water charges will continue to be included in your QLDC rates as usual.

As the new organisation prepares for 1 July 2027, we will keep you informed about what to expect. The Local Government (Water Services) Act 2024 requires the organisation to engage with the community on key planning documents and so you will have opportunities to have your say before the company becomes operational. As part of the establishment process, the organisation will also launch its own website, which will become the main source of information about its plans, community engagement and the transition to becoming operational on 1 July 2027.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at:

wscco@qldc.govt.nz

QLDC 3Waters Ltd is governed by an independent board of directors. The inaugural Board is made up of five directors who bring a range of skills and expertise across water infrastructure, engineering, environmental law, finance, risk management and sustainability. Three are Chartered Members of the Institute of Directors, two hold doctorates in engineering, and most live locally, here in our rohe/district.

The board must now prepare QLDC 3Waters Limited to assume responsibility for delivering safe, reliable water supply, wastewater and stormwater services to our hapori/communities from 1 July 2027.

Water reform has been on the table in Aotearoa New Zealand for almost a decade now, as successive governments have worked through how to make water services safer, more reliable, and more sustainable.

It follows nationwide challenges with ageing infrastructure, underinvestment and inconsistent service delivery. These challenges are made all the more pressing for our district by the beauty of our taiao, our lakes, mountains, and landscapes that draw so many people here, both to live and visit. That popularity is driving fast growth, with the peak day population (residents plus visitors) projected to reach 156,161 within ten years and 221,276 within 30 years, more than double the resident population.

The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 began the current government’s Local Water Done Well Policy to address Aotearoa New Zealand’s longstanding water infrastructure challenges. It required councils to review their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater and consider whether there were better alternatives to provide sustainable and efficient water services, address current challenges and lay the foundation for future improvements. Emphasis was on local decision-making and meeting economic, environmental and water quality regulatory requirements.

In July 2025, Councillors confirmed that the preferred model for delivering water services was a council-controlled organisation. This model was chosen because it provides independent expert governance with a dedicated focus on water services, supports long term investment in infrastructure and meets thenew legislative and regulatory requirements overseen by Taumata Arowai and the Commerce Commission.

Key dates:

• 22 July 2026: Chief Executive appointed to start in mid-October  

• 16 July 2026: First board meeting

• 1 July 2026: Incorporation of QLDC 3Waters Limited

• 25 June 2026: Four directors appointed to the new independent board

• 7 May 2026: Dr Julian Elder appointed as WSCCO chair

• 23 February 2026: Recruitment begins for the WSCCO board

• 9 February 2026: Establishment Programme Director appointed

• 26 August 2025: Water Services Delivery Plan adopted by QLDC

• 31 July 2025: Queenstown Lakes District Council confirms Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO) as its model

• 2 September 2024: The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 enacted requiring all councils to develop a Water Services Delivery Plan showing which model it would use to provide water services in a way that is financially sustainable and meets regulatory requirements.