TWO senior NSW government ministers are tipped to travel to Tamworth within weeks in a bid to solve the Peel Valley’s water pricing problem.
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Deputy premier Troy Grant and Water Minister Niall Blair will fulfil the Baird government’s pre-election promise of meeting with water stakeholders.
The fact local residents, irrigators and businesses pay about 20 times more for a megalitre of raw water than counterparts in the state’s south was a hot election issue.
Local political leaders acknowledge the inequity in pricing puts a strain not just on existing water-intensive industries, but also discourages other companies from investing here.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the two ministers would discuss the issue with water-user groups in both the Peel and Namoi valleys.
“I’m very hopeful that we can come to a solution,” he said. “I know there is a solution and together we need to come to that solution.
“I’m very confident Niall Blair will be able to make sure that we can find a way through. because he’s ready to listen and look at all options for us, Mr Anderson said.”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which sets raw water prices across the state’s nine valleys, recently released its draft review of 2015-16 charges.
Due to the already high prices in the Peel Valley, the ACCC has capped increases at 10 per cent to avoid “perverse pricing outcomes”.
If the draft proposal is ratified, Peel Valley users will pay $52.48 a megalitre for water, compared to $20.41 in the Namoi, $12.53 in the Gwydir and $4.37 in the Murrumbidgee.
The Peel Valley Water User Association will discuss the issue at its annual general meeting on Wednesday from 6pm at the Tamworth Community Centre.
A date has yet to be confirmed for the ministers’ visit.
