What analysis, if any, has been undertaken of the interaction between council amalgamations and the water services entities established under Local Water Done Well, and how many water services delivery plans, if any, will need to be renegotiated as a result?

Answer

Officials have determined that the Head Start pathway under Simplifying Local Government does not require councils to change their water service delivery models adopted under Local Water Done Well. However, where councils choose to consider changes to their water services planning as part of a Head Start proposal, the pathway and the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025 provide sufficient flexibility and mechanisms for councils to do so.