Orange, Cowra and several other surrounding Central West towns may combine water supply services if a suggestion from the regional amalgamation of water and sewer services report goes ahead.
NSW Water Minister Phil Costa has refused to guarantee jobs or water bill prices as a result of the report, which has now been handed to the government.
The independent inquiry, prepared by former deputy premier Ian Armstrong and Dr Colin Gellaty has, among a list of several points for discussions, included a mooted merger of Orange City Council’s water and sewer services with at least six other councils.
The inquiry believes Orange could join forces with Cowra, Blayney, Cabonne, Parkes, Forbes, Lachlan and Weddin councils to deliver water and sewer services.
If formed the alliance would service 41,500 connected properties over a massive 39,700 square kilometre area.
“I can’t give any guarantees on what may happen to prices, whether they go up, down or stay the same, because I simply don’t know what will happen in the future,” Mr Costa explained.
When asked if jobs would be lost as a result of any alliances or mergers in the future, the minister similarly responded he could not
guarantee all jobs would be safe.
“I can’t offer that guarantee but let me say this, losses won’t happen because of any of the stuff (reforms) I’ll be pursuing,” he said.
Greens rural policy spokesperson and Orange councillor Jeremy Buckingham has read the bulk of the 200 page inquiry report and said while an alliance could prove positive, the benefits may not outweigh the negatives.
“This report is going to mean massive changes, it’s going to create price pressures for the consumer and I don’t think there’s any doubt that streamlining of positions could happen,” he said.
NSW Local Government Association president, Cr Genia McCaffery, said job losses as a result of regional mergers and alliances were a realistic concern and will be the subject of discussions between unions and the government.
There are also fears the writing is on the wall for water supply authority Central Tablelands Water if the regional alliance were to go ahead, However CTW general manager Tony Perry believes if the organisation was disbanded the only job to be lost would most likely be his.
“Regardless of whether Central Tablelands Water stays in place or is taken over I believe all operational positions would have to stay in place to still adequately service our customers,” Mr Perry said.
Mr Armstrong yesterday said the responsibility now rested with the government to determine if jobs would be cut or water and sewer charges rise as they consider the findings of the report.
“The average person should be able to turn on their tap and have clean and reasonably priced water coming out of it, that’s a basic and reasonable expectation for the average ratepayer and reforms can make that possible where now that is not happening in some smaller council areas,” Mr Costa said.
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