![Water Management charges to kick in from July 1 Water Management charges to kick in from July 1](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/1258757.jpg/r0_0_298_200_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NSW PRIMARY Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson has reminded water users from homes and industries that new water management charges, set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), will be implemented by the NSW Office of Water from 1 July.
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These charges are the same as the draft prices that have been publicly available on IPART’s website since October 2010.
“I recognise that there have been concerns raised in some sectors of the community about how these prices have been determined,” Katrina Hodgkinson said.
“That is why I have committed to a review of bulk water charges in NSW. While these charges are essential in providing these services and managing the resource, I am determined that it will be done in a fair and transparent manner.”
Katrina Hodgkinson said the charges will apply to irrigators, mines and other industry as well as bulk water suppliers, local councils, environmental water holders and water utility suppliers for the next three years.
“The new charges mean NSW will continue to move towards full cost recovery commitments made under the national water reforms agreed by the Council of Australian Government (COAG),” she said.
“I am advised by IPART that it has attempted to ensure water users are only being asked to pay their share of costs for the Office of Water to deliver its water management responsibilities efficiently.
“Following an extensive inquiry process, involving consultation with water users and other stakeholders, these charges have been set to prevent significant price shocks, by ensuring that the annual increase in forecast bills for most users is not greater than 20 per cent.
“While price increases for some consumers may be relatively large, the impact of higher water bills should be small, with water charges accounting for a small component of farm business costs and farmers with the ability to trade water, can offset increased charges.”
The Office of Water is required to conduct additional activities such as developing and implementing water sharing plans and new policies, increasing compliance to protect users’ property rights, and ensuring a robust system of water allocation.
“In the longer term, these activities ensure that water can be made available to licensed water users on a sustainable basis,” she said.
Details of the new charges can be found on IPART’s website at www.IPART.nsw.gov.au
The Office of Water will also be publishing details of the charges on its website in June 2011.
Bulk water charges for State Water Corporation were set by IPART to apply for the four years from 1 July 2010. State Water’s charges cover the cost of capture, storage and delivery of water across NSW.