NSW State Government Regional Water Reform Review: Positive Developments
By Stephen Hughes
USU Manager North
Jul 16, 2008
On Monday July 14th 2008 representatives from the USU, Stephen Hughes Manager North and Robert Potter Water Reform Campaign Co-coordinator met with senior staff from the NSW Minister for Water and Emergency Services Mr Nathan Rees' office in Sydney. Also in attendance was the NSW State Member for the Cessnock electorate Mr Kerry Hickey who arranged the meeting between the parties. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a copy and summary of the USU’S further submission to the Water Reform Review. This submission is in addition to the Union’s initial submission and was put together on behalf of the USU by one of Australia’s leading experts in Local Government, Services and Reforms, Professor Brian Dollery.
The USU had provided an initial submission prior to the closing date in April 2008 but felt that it was in the best interests of our members, councils and communities to commission a much more substantive report by a leading industry expert.
Minister Rees has permitted this late submission to be included with our earlier submission. This will allow the expert report to be included in the report expected from Minister Rees and his department in November 2008.
The Union appreciated Minister Rees' decision to allow the late inclusion of the expert report. The union views this development as a positive step between the parties to re establish a working relationship that will ensure safe and reliable water and waste water services to the public in NSW while at the same time protecting jobs, conditions and the viability of regional councils and water authorities.
Minister Rees has been consistent in stating publicly that he has no intention to strip councils of their assets or to privatise any of the states 107 water authorities.
Monday’s meeting and its outcome has clearly demonstrated that Minister Rees continues to work with the relevant partie’s co operatively.
The Union has sought a further meeting with the Minister to progress matters further. This meeting will include several delegates and members from the water/waste water industry.
We look forward to delivering a further positive industrial update to our members in the near future.
