The good news this week is that significant changes are on the cards for the Central Coast’s water and sewer management as the NSW Parliament considers a pivotal Bill.
This legislative shift aims to remove Central Coast Council from its untenable position as a water supply authority under two legislative acts, aligning it with other regional councils across NSW.
For too long, Central Coast Council has navigated the complex regulatory terrain, governed by both the Water Management Act and additional price regulations from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Notably, Minister for the Central Coast David Harris has admitted that the problems at the water authority played a considerable part in the financial collapse of the Council in 2020.
By addressing these issues through legislative reform, the Council should be able to better manage its resources and avoid repeating past mistakes.
Poignantly, Council critic and newly-declared candidate for the September election Kevin Brooks revealed at this week’s public forum the severe financial strain on residents and businesses, noting that Central Coast water rates have risen by 51 per cent in just three years.
He says water rates are 28 per cent higher than those of Sydney Water and 13 per cent higher than those of Hunter Water.
These figures underscore the urgent need for regulatory changes to prevent further financial burdens on the community.
The proposed changes come in response to a 2022 Public Inquiry and a comprehensive 2023 review of the Council’s water utility framework.
Simplifying the regulatory framework, legislators argue, will reduce costs and free up the Council to focus on essential services.
Notably, this Bill does not advocate for the privatisation or corporatisation of water services, something that seems to exclude a future Council from seeking outside capital and management involvement as is the case in Sydney and The Hunter.
As a result, the Council will maintain full control over services and infrastructure, ensuring that utilities remain publicly owned and managed.
Proponents of the Bill say this is crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in water management.
Minister for Water Rose Jackson has emphasized that these long-overdue changes will enhance residents’ confidence in the management of their water services.
That remains to be seen.
She says the Bill aims to eradicate unnecessary restrictions on financial transfers between the water supply and sewerage funds, improving cash flow and debt management.
This also remains to be seen.
Apparently, some administrative issues remain unresolved, though the overarching goal seems to be clear: to provide a simpler framework for water and sewer services that should benefit the entire Central Coast community.
Legislators should also consider the long suffering Central Coast ratepayers who’ve paid for past failures and wish to see reduced water costs as a dividend of this move.
The fact that our water services are significantly more expensive than in Sydney and the Hunter remains unacceptable.
David Abrahams – Managing editor