Fourth government water review

20 February 2008

The current proposal by the State Government to corporatise our water, sewerage and drainage services into a separate bureaucracy is part of yet another review of our local services.

In fact the Government has conducted three previous reviews of our water supply services in 1986/87, 1992/3 and 1994/96 which incorporated three takeover attempts.

Each of these reviews was conducted by the State Government of the day and each of them determined that our local water and sewerage functions remain with Wyong and Gosford Councils.

Council is keen hear views of our local community on this important local issue. Write to us at PO Box 20, Wyong, NSW 2259 or by email

Current water review

This latest review of our water, sewerage and drainage services was initiated by former Water Utilities Minister Frank Sartor – not Wyong and Gosford Councils.

The Minister held discussions with the two Councils and reached agreement in 2005 on a new water authority model. This would have kept direct ownership, control and operation of water, sewerage and drainage services and infrastructure with the two Councils, while also providing a separate body to make strategic decisions on bulk water supplies.

Minister Sartor also said he would not force a merger of the two Councils’ water services.

In September 2006, however, the next Water Utilities Minister, David Campbell, changed this approach and proposed a different model which established a separate and independent Water Corporation.

Minister Nathan Rees then took over as Water Utilities Minister in 2007 and is now trying to force a merger of Wyong and Gosford's water, sewerage and drainage services. He is not following the model previously agreed to by Minister Sartor.

Council now asks the questions … Why a forced merger? What is the Minister’s next move?

Page last updated: 20/02/2008