The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has proposed a 1.9 per cent increase in WaterNSW charges, after the government department sought increases up to 39 per cent. The 1.9 per cent would be followed by CPI increases in 2026 and 2027.
IPART’s draft determination is open for public comment until June 3.
“It seems IPART has listened to the people of New South Wales, which is heartening,” MRSG executive officer Shelley Scoullar said.
“Farmers and regional communities keep getting slugged with government charges and price increases some of which, like those proposed by WaterNSW, are beyond comprehension.
“We should not be paying exorbitant increases to fund its public interest activities and it appears this has been identified by IPART.
“At some point governments must stop placing constant obstacles and costs in front of farmers, and instead support their efforts to put clean, green Aussie food on our tables.”
Mrs Scoullar said the seismic shift in water management and policy was not only affecting farmers, but also entire rural communities who rely on the productivity created by irrigated agriculture.
“In relation to the proposed WaterNSW cost increases, we are grateful that our collective voices have been heard,” Mrs Scoullar said.
“Our communities have long felt that decision-makers are not listening to our concerns.
“We have submission fatigue from constantly trying to highlight the impact of government policy changes, but at least on this occasion it seems our efforts have not been wasted.”
MRSG is also grateful for the support it received from various politicians, as well as individuals who took the time to make submissions.
“Advocacy organisations worked collaboratively on this issue, as they could all see the WaterNSW proposal was unfair and unjustified, and this position has been recognised by IPART.
“While the reprieve from massive increases only appears to be for three years, at least it is a start and it’s a huge relief to learn that our food producers are not likely to be facing an increase in water charges of 184 per cent, which would have priced many farmers out of business.
“The Murray Regional Strategy Group continues to call on governments and their bureaucracies to work with our communities to develop sensible policy and charges that will allow our farmers to continue growing food and fibre for domestic and international needs.
“If water can be managed in an efficient and effective way, we can protect the environment while also supporting the productive capacity of our farmers.”
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