[Greens-Media] Water saving at risk as El Nino heats up

[John Kaye]

Water saving at risk as El Nino heats up

Media release: 14 July 2014

As South East Australia faces increased risk of drought, the Baird
government and the pricing regulator are planning to weaken requirements on
NSW urban water utilities to save water by recycling and improving
efficiency, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

('Sydney Water efficiency targets to be scrapped' Sydney Morning Herald, 14
July, page 3, http://j.mp/aoi140714)

Dr Kaye said: "As NSW is at significant risk of another El Nino drought, it
makes no sense to weaken water efficiency and recycling measures.

"Dropping water efficiency, recycling and conservation requirements from
Sydney Water licence will fatten the utility up for privatisation by
reducing short term costs and making the utility more attractive to
potential purchasers.

"In the long run it will make Sydney more vulnerable to drought with fewer
programs in place to take the pressure of the dams.

"This is another example of the privatisation agenda sacrificing the public
to bulk up the sale price.

"On-going programs that develop water saving and recycled sources of water
are critical to a population living on the dry continent with the threat of
more frequent and increasingly severe El Nino droughts.

"While Water Minister Kevin Humphries denies that the Baird government has
plans to privatise the water utility, it is clear that Sydney Water is
being pushed into increasing its profitability at the expense of drought
preparedness," Dr Kaye said.

Background

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is reviewing the operating
licence of Sydney Water. The Issues Paper expressed the "preliminary view"
that the operating licence should "not contain specific obligations
relating to the level of water usage, water efficiency programs, water
recycling and the water conservation strategy document and annual report." (
http://j.mp/IPARTswc1407, see pp. 49 to 56)

Water Minister Kevin Humphries has introduced the Water Industry
Competition Amendment (Review) Bill 2014 into the Legislative Assembly
which would "remove the requirement for [private water utilities] to obtain
sufficient water other than from a public water utility". (
http://j.mp/WICAamend2014)


For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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