Water
Media and commentary related to our work to protect community rights and ensure NSW water services are fair, affordable and sustainable.
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AFR: Why Sydney Water wants to increase bills by a third to $1491 a year
We advocated for water users, arguing the cost of improving infrastructure should not be recovered in bills.
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Overhaul needed for water planning
Water consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s calls for an overhaul of Australia’s national water policy. In a report released on Thursday, the Productivity Commission urged Australian Governments to modernise and strengthen the National Water Initiative so it can effectively guide water policy and planning into the future.…
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New water prices penalise water savers, not a long-term solution
PIAC is concerned recently announced changes to the way water is priced for Sydney and Hunter region households do not encourage sustainable long-term water use and planning, and will leave households that use less water with higher water bills. On Tuesday, the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART) announced the introduction of new water…
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Rains buy time to ditch new desalination and plan smarter
The recent rains across parts of New South Wales provide breathing space for better long-term resource planning to ensure water is secure and affordable into the future. PIAC calls on the state government to hit pause on the proposed expansion of the Sydney Desalination Plant while having a more considered conversation about better water use,…
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Water recycling needed but high fixed charges mean many Sydney households are still paying for water they don’t use
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) welcomes the NSW Government investigating water recycling as a necessary measure to secure Sydney’s water supply during ongoing drought conditions. PIAC supports water recycling, but stresses good long-term water planning involves being efficient with available resources and using water sustainably, not waiting until supplies are critically low and options…
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Cheaper than dirt: Critics say Sydney’s water ‘massively undervalued’
‘Economists say Sydney’s water is too cheap, and the city is “massively under-valuing” a scarce and finite resource as the drought continues unabated.’ ‘”Water in NSW isn’t dirt cheap. It’s way cheaper,” said economist Richard Tooth, commenting on Sydney Water’s latest pricing proposals. “Water costs little than more than $2 a tonne delivered to your…