Page 3235 - Week 11 - Thursday, 12 September 1991
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ACTEW is losing money on its water operation at present. Over the past two years the loss totalled about $10m. The change in the basic water allowance, moving us towards a user pays approach, could make up the shortfall by about $800,000 in terms of excess water charges this year. This estimate would, of course, vary depending on water usage following the change. However, this is not the central issue. The central issue is water conservation.
This Assembly will be aware of water conservation publicity by ACTEW from October 1990. That publicity campaign made repeated mention of the plan, subject to legislative change, to lower the basic water allowance to 350 kilolitres per year. The Government is conscious that water conservation involves progressive change in attitudes and habits. To give water users extra time to adjust their consumption, the change in basic water allowance will be phased in during 1991-92.
Other amendments contained in this package of Bills will streamline the administration of determining charges for electricity, water and sewerage services so that water and sewerage charges can be determined in advance to come into effect from the start of the financial year. As part of this streamlining process, the period allowed for the Minister to disallow any water, sewerage or electricity charges set by ACTEW will be reduced from 30 days to 14 days. I present the explanatory memorandum for the Electricity and Water (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) of 1991.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
WATER RATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (11.27): Mr Speaker, I present the Water Rates (Amendment) Bill 1991. I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
The Water Rates (Amendment) Bill 1991 forms part of a package with the Electricity and Water (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 1991 and the Sewerage Rates (Amendment) Bill 1991. The Water Rates (Amendment) Bill amends the Water Rates Act 1959 to remove references which indicate that there is a basic water allowance of 455 kilolitres per year, and to enable the determination of water rates in advance, to come into effect on 1 July each financial year. I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
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