The changes to Hunter Water’s regulation have been finalised, after going on public display in early 2024.
The prosed changes were backed by the community, and the New South Wales Government thank locals and stakeholders for their valuable feedback during the exhibition period. It said that their responses helped finalise the regulation, and that a report detailing public submissions can be found here.
The final regulation includes minor changes and updates to streamline it and clarify its intent.
The changes include clarifying definitions, updating references, increasing penalties for breaching water restrictions to bring them in-line with other similar fines, and updating language to reflect online administration.
Based on the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (NSW DCCEEW) Regulatory Impact Statement, the State Government does not expect the changes to have major impacts on residents, businesses or other stakeholders, and said that they do not affect water rates or charges.
The regulation plays a key role in enabling Hunter Water to deliver drinking water, sewerage, recycled water, drainage and stormwater services across more than 6600km2 in the Lower Hunter, including the local government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Dungog and parts of Singleton.
It enables Hunter Water to protect water quality in drinking water catchment areas, protect assets, implement water restrictions during drought, and fine people or corporations when they don’t comply with rules relating to special areas, plumbing and drainage works and water restrictions.
New South Wales Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said, “The people of the Hunter can have confidence that their water is clean and safe thanks to these changes.
“We’re cracking down on those who pollute our water – sending a clear message that reckless or negligent behaviour won’t be tolerated.
“We extended our gratitude to the community for their patience and invaluable feedback – your support means we can protect and serve the community as best we can.
“We are committed to making sure our water stays in top shape because the people of the Hunter deserve nothing less.”
NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Operations Resilience, Ashraf El-Sherbini, said, “We thank residents and stakeholders across the Hunter for engaging with us and providing us with important feedback which helped shape the final Regulation.
“We were pleased to see that the community supported the remake, and the changes we made were in-line with best practice and community expectations.
“As New South Wales’ second-largest water utility, Hunter Water services one in 13 people in our state.
“Now it can get on with the job of delivering world-class services to hundreds of thousands of households and businesses across the Hunter, while safeguarding water quality and protecting the region’s waterways and the environment.”
Featured image: Yanz Island/shutterstock.com
