The policy motions passed by the executive council implore both the federal and state governments to prioritise complementary measures such as carp control and addressing cold water pollution in meeting the environmental outcomes of the Murray-Darling Basin system.  

The motions also call for additional non-flow options to be explored to deliver better outcomes for the southern basin.

Our members who are living and working in the basin know an additional 450GL of water recovery will have dire consequences for Basin communities.

We call on Tony Burke to acknowledge the agreements that clearly state that there mustn’t be further recovery unless there are neutral or beneficial socio-economic impacts.

The health of the Murray-Darling Basin is critical to the regional towns, businesses and farming families living along it but the Murray-Darling Basin Rivers will not be improved by simply adding water.  

The association is clear that water recovery must stop, and targeted environmental projects that actually improve river health, need to get moving, if we are to avoid further destruction to regional communities that are already suffering.  

Derek Schoen

President

NSW Farmers’ Association 

THE Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking feedback on the draft terms and conditions of the Water NSW operating licence.

The draft operating licence establishes a new framework of authorisations and conditions relating to the functions of Water NSW. It includes obligations relating to catchment management, water quality, environmental protection, customer service and stakeholder relations in providing its water services to urban and regional areas in NSW.

The draft new licence package released for comment includes a draft Operating Licence proposing licence conditions, which would be effective from July 1.

The proposed licence, when commenced, will replace two licences previously held by the Sydney Catchment Authority and State Water Corporation as these organisations have been amalgamated by the NSW Government. Water NSW now has water supply and water capture, store and release responsibilities across NSW and the new licence will authorise and regulate these activities.

IPART commenced the review in 2016 and released an Issues Paper for public comment. This release of material is a continuation of that consultation process and community and stakeholder submissions are again invited.

We have considered the costs and benefits of a number of options and are now seeking final submissions about the right form and level of regulation to ensure that environmental, customer and business objectives are met in this water resource space, without inappropriately increasing the burden and cost of regulation.

The proposed Water NSW operating licence and reporting manual include requirements and conditions that improve clarity, readability, and removal of duplicative, conflicting or obsolete clauses.

The draft operating licence package is available at IPART’s website http://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au.

Dr Peter Boxall

Chairman

IPART 

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