Submission to the Review of Central Coast Council water, wastewater and stormwater prices from 1 July 2022 Issues Paper

PIAC responded to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) Review of Central Coast Council water, wastewater and stormwater prices from 1 July 2022 Issues Paper.

Our submission highlighted operational issues with the council’s water business including persistent low charging of water services and the poor quality of water services, and raised the possibility these issues may be a sign of structural problems within the Central Coast council’s water business. PIAC strongly recommended IPART examine the decision-making processes of council to ensure the community can have confidence in the capability of council to manage risks, costs and deliver essential services that meet the community’s needs. 

While the issues facing the Council’s water business may be beyond the scope of an IPART pricing review, PIAC encouraged IPART to identify where other remedies may be required.