Our Client
Ashburton District Council serves a growing and thriving resident base of over 37,400 across Canterbury’s Ashburton District, with an asset base of $1.2b and annual revenue of over $100m. In October 2024, Council established a Three Waters Committee dedicated to overseeing the district’s drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services, as Council transitions delivery of these services into a dedicated in-house Business Unit. For more information go to: http://www.ashburtondc.govt.nz
The Opportunity
This is a new opportunity to become the first Independent Member of Ashburton District Council’s Three Waters Committee. You will bring proven governance expertise to the Committee as Council transitions drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services into a dedicated in-house Business Unit.
The Committee provides strategic oversight of operational and capital work programmes, asset management and infrastructure resilience, financial performance, and compliance with drinking water and wastewater standards. This includes reporting obligations to Taumata Arowai, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Commerce Commission and Environment Canterbury.
Expressions of interest from potential Independent Members are being sought. The Council is seeking a candidate with experience and credibility in some of the following areas:
- Governance experience, ideally at board, council committee or equivalent level
- Experience in asset management, capital works programmes and infrastructure planning
- Ability to monitor performance against budget
- Sound understanding of risk management, assurance and audit frameworks
- Familiarity with the regulatory environment for water services, including obligations to Taumata Arowai, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Commerce Commission and Environment Canterbury
- Technical understanding of drinking water, wastewater and/or stormwater infrastructure and service delivery
- Understanding of the Local Government Act 2002 and Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025
- A relationship builder who can work constructively with elected members, Council officers and the community
To view the Candidate Briefing document: click here;
Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation by clicking the appropriate ‘Apply’ button. Initial confidential enquiries are welcome by contacting Nick Hodgson on 021 190 4191 or nick.hodgson@brannigans.co.nz.
Applications for this opportunity close at 5pm on Monday 19 October