PIAC made a submission in response to the issues paper IPART released as part of its review of Water Management Prices from July 2021. The submission highlighted the importance of costs related to improving the transparency of data and consistency of monitoring and enforcement, in underpinning confidence in the market and the operation of catchments and rivers. Considering the historic underinvestment in these crucial areas underpinning market confidence, it may be appropriate for a larger share of these costs to be recovered from the NSW Government. PIAC raised concerns with the scope and quality of engagement undertaken, and recommended IPART ensure the level of allowed costs recovery and the share recovered from consumers reflect the explicit preferences of consumers and the community.
