A SHIFT in NSW’s water executive was one of the most under-reported consequences of last month’s Cabinet reshuffle, but the carving out of two ministries from the statewide portfolio could have far-reaching consequences for regional NSW.
Two big tests for the government loom, with pointy end of Murray Darling Basin reforms approaching and lingering questions over the bush’s share of funding from the $13 billion Restart NSW fund for the Coalition’s regional representatives in the Nationals.
Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair dropped the Lands portfolio, picked up Trade and Investment and halved his water responsibilities, and handed administration of metropolitan water to new Resources and Utilities Minister Don Harwin.
But rather than weaken the minister’s powers, splitting the portfolio would benefit the bush, Mr Blair said.
“Regional water is too important (to give up). It should be included in it’s own right in the top tier of government.
“We couldn’t afford a reset, there are too many things happening. For someone else to start from scratch negotiating with the Ministerial Council (of Basin States) would have left NSW at a disadvantage.”
Mr Blair said water infrastructure would be crucial for regional development.
“We have finite resources and there are many competing interests, so we need to ensure the human consumption needs are balanced with the needs of production and the environment.”
Government should seek buy-in from the private sector, which could involve anything from new technology in telemetry to “opportunities for the private sector to work with utilities and neighbouring shires to combine resources or expertise to increase our bang for buck.”
