The Minns Labor Government has ensured Central Coast Council has a clearer, simpler and less costly regularity framework for its water supply and sewerage services, and protects against privatisation.
Until now, Central Coast Council was the only local body in NSW providing water services under two legislative Acts.
The passing of a Bill through Parliament yesterday ends that anomaly by removing the regulatory double-up and complexity, paving the way for better governance.
The legislative changes provide a streamlined regulatory framework for incoming Councillors following next month's local government elections, while reducing costs and freeing Council up to perform its core role of providing essential services for the Central Coast.
Additionally, it will help resolve some of the complexity that contributed to Central Coast Council being placed in administration in October 2020.
Central Coast is the third largest water utility in the state after Sydney Water and Hunter Water. and This will bring Council's provision and regulation of water supply and sewerage services in-line with all other local governments across regional NSW.
The Bill retains Council's control of water services and infrastructure, and the changes will not have any impact on customers, other than positive benefits that should flow from a better governed water and sewerage utility.
The changes are also specific to Central Coast Council and do not affect other councils or local water utilities across the state.
The Bill comes off the back of a 2022 Public Inquiry into Central Coast Council which included widespread public consultation, and a Departmental review into the Council's water utility legislative and regulatory framework in 2023.
These changes align with stakeholder feedback, as well as the review's findings and recommendations to simplify the framework and make it more efficient.
Specifically, the Bill:
- Removes Council as a water supply authority under the Water Management Act
- Aligns the regulation of Council's water supply and sewerage services more closely with the regulatory framework which applies to all other councils
- Retains IPART as the regulator of Council's water supply and sewerage service prices to ensure adequate oversight of Council's pricing and ensure fees stay fair for local residents
- Exempts Council from unnecessary and inefficient restrictions on money transfers between the water supply fund and the sewerage fund, to improve effective management of cash flow and debt funding.
Importantly, the Bill also further commits to protect our water utility on the Central Coast from privatisation, by repealing the Central Coast Water Corporation Act and Central Coast Water Corporation Regulation.
This will ensure Central Coast water remains in the hands of our community.
Minister for Water, Rose Jackson said:
"I am thrilled this Bill has passed parliament to finally give residents greater confidence that their water services are being properly managed.
"It comes after a Public Inquiry and a thorough review into Council's administrative operations, and after listening to feedback from the entire community.
"This Bill is a great outcome and fantastic news for people across the Central Coast."
Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said:
"The passing of this Bill will give Central Coast Council more clarity to efficiently go about its job to best serve residents, businesses and customers.
"Importantly, the Bill protects our water utility on the Central Coast from privatisation to ensure water and sewerage remains in the hands of our Council and our community, which is great news for everyone."
Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley said:
"The NSW Government has fulfilled its commitment to listen to and address the concerns of locals.
"Eliminating unnecessary obstacles will pave the way for more time to deliver the things that matter most to the people of the Central Coast.
"Locals can now enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their water bills are being managed with care and transparency."
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said:
"The great thing about our Bill is that it ensures our water service will remain locally owned and controlled.
"The simplification of regulation and IPART price oversight will make sure we are paying no more than we should for our water and sewer service."
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said:
"With the passing of this Bill, the NSW Government has simplified the legislation controlling Central Coast water and sewerage services, taking the complexity out of Council governance and decision making.
"I welcome the passing of this Bill, which streamlines Council's regulatory structure and allows Council to get back to their core function, providing essential services to our community."
