The New South Wales Government has announced significant changes to the regulatory framework governing the Central Coast Council's water and sewerage services. 

The move is intended to enhance governance and facilitate better decision-making.

Historically, Central Coast Council has been unique in NSW as the sole council providing water services under two distinct legislative Acts. Additionally, it has been subject to price regulation by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). 

The introduction of a new Bill aims to eliminate the existing regulatory redundancies and complexities.

This new legislative initiative will streamline the regulatory environment, providing a more straightforward and clear framework for incoming councillors. 

This simplification is expected to reduce costs and allow the Council to concentrate on its primary role of delivering essential services to the Central Coast.

One of the key motivations behind the Bill is to address the administrative complexities that led to the Council being placed under administration in October 2020. 

By aligning the Council's water supply and sewerage services with those of other local governments across regional NSW, the Bill will help ensure these utilities remain publicly owned and managed assets.

The state says the proposed changes will not materially impact customers. 

It claims there will be no move towards privatisation or corporatisation, and the Council will maintain control over its services and infrastructure. 

The changes are specific to the Central Coast Council and do not affect other councils or local water utilities across the state.

The Bill's introduction follows a 2022 Public Inquiry into the Central Coast Council, which included extensive public consultation and a 2023 review of the Council’s water utility legislative and regulatory framework. 

The new Bill reflects stakeholder feedback and aligns with the review’s recommendations to simplify and make the framework more efficient.

Key provisions of the Bill include:

  • Removal of the Council as a water supply authority under the Water Management Act.

  • Alignment of the Council's water supply and sewerage services regulation with the framework applicable to other councils.

  • Retention of IPART as the regulator for Council’s water supply and sewerage service prices, ensuring proper oversight.

  • Exemption of the Council from unnecessary restrictions on money transfers between the water supply fund and the sewerage fund, improving cash flow and debt management.

  • Repeal of redundant Acts to enhance regulatory clarity.