The NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) is calling on the NSW Government to immediately commence a transparent review of the WaterNSW pricing framework and stop the impact of IPART’s recent determination until that review is complete.
NSWIC CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said last week’s determination had highlighted a much bigger problem than annual price increases.
“This is no longer simply an IPART issue. NSW Government must now fix a pricing framework that is no longer fit for purpose.”
NSWIC is calling on the NSW Government to:
- complete a comprehensive review of WaterNSW’s pricing framework before the next WaterNSW pricing determination in 2028; and
- replace IPART’s current determination with an interim pricing path capped at five per cent per annum (including inflation), consistent with NSWIC’s original submission.
“Water users should not be forced to fund a broken pricing model while NSW Government works out how to fix it,” Dr Hartley said.
Dr Hartley said the determination satisfied no stakeholder: IPART had acknowledged many farmers would struggle to absorb the increases, while WaterNSW said it still did not resolve its financial challenges.
Dr Hartley said affordable water underpinned Australia’s food and fibre industries.
“Water is essential to Australia’s food and fibre industries, and WaterNSW is a monopoly provider. If we want Australia to remain competitive in food and fibre production, we need a pricing framework that delivers affordable water.”
“NSW Government now has a responsibility to reset the system before the next determination, for the benefit of water users, WaterNSW and the broader NSW economy.”
“The current pricing framework is failing the very people it was designed to serve.”
