RITS v2 Consultation Update
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback during the consultation on RITS v2. We appreciate the effort and thought submitters put into reviewing the document and sharing their perspectives.
We received over 350 individual comments from 587 submitters. Each submission was carefully considered as part of the review process, and a significant proportion of the feedback helped shape the final version of RITS v2. While it was not possible to incorporate every comment in full, we estimate that around 80% of the feedback has been reflected in the updated document, either directly or through broader changes informed by common themes raised during consultation.
There may not be a one-to-one correspondence between individual feedback and the final wording. In some cases, comments needed to be balanced against statutory requirements, consistency across councils, and the overall intent of the document. However, all contributions played an important role in strengthening the final outcome.
Version 1 will remain available for at least six months.
*Co-Lab has no control over documents that have been downloaded, so users are responsible for ensuring they have the latest version.
The Regional Infrastructure Technical Specification (RITS) is a document that sets out how to design and construct transportation, water supply, wastewater, stormwater and landscape infrastructure in the participating councils’ areas. It also has earthworks and geotechnical requirements as well as an acceptable products section.
Prior to developing RITS, each council had its own Infrastructure Technical Specification equivalent, which resulted in different standards having to be met across the Waikato region. In 2016 Co-Lab took ownership of developing a regional document with the purpose of providing a single guide and specifications for building public infrastructure. The RITS is used by nine participating councils in the Waikato region.
When councils set up contracts for the construction of transportation works, three waters and landscaping, they refer to specifications and standards that contractors are required to meet. These are found in the RITS and so contractors have certainty about what materials (e.g. pipe materials), that they can use, and what standards must be met.
Developers are required to provide infrastructure in subdivisions/developments and can use the RITS as a means of complying with the conditions set by councils as part of the resource consenting process. The RITS document aims to reduce cost and effort of developers and their consultants by providing a standardised approach to meeting resource consent conditions.
While alternative solutions can also be presented to council, they will require additional supporting information, increasing council review processes, lead times and potentially costs.
A bi-annual review process will be in place to keep the document up-to-date.
The government’s Local Water Done Well legislation has been passed and is now operational. There is a requirement for Taumata Arowai (Water Services Authority) to develop standardised performance-based requirements for their upcoming Code of Practice. The COP will be based on the draft National Engineering Design Standards (NEDS) that was developed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) under the former government’s Affordable Water previously Three Waters programme.
Once the performance-based requirements are released, we will check to make sure the RITS meets them and, if necessary, make any amendments.
We’re committed to improving the RITS document. Click the link below to share your thoughts through the feedback form.
