❓ Hon Dee Margetts raises concerns about private water providers' licensing, employee qualifications, pensioner rebates, and water rate structures compared to Water Corporation. The government acknowledges the review of the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 and clarifies responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 362Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to private water supply service companies such as Nilgin Service Co Ltd which has an operating licence issued by the Office of Water Regulation -
(1) Why are private water supply providers such as Nilgin Service Co Ltd, exempt from the requirement to hold an licence under the Water Service Coordination (Plumbing Licensing) Regulations 2000 which means that unqualified people can work on water supplies operated by companies with an operating licence?
(2) What long term measures have put in place by the Office of Water Regulation to ensure that those who hold water supply operating licences including private water companies such as Nilgin Service Company have qualified or licensed people working on water supplies?
(3) Will the review of the
Water Services Coordination Act 1995
be examining the need for the licensing of qualified employees of private water supply providers and recommending an essential minimum qualification for people working on water supplies including water quality testing?
(4) Why does the State Government provide a pensioner rebate only to those pensioners who have access to services provided by the Water Corporation, effectively discriminating against those who have to access service provided by a private water company?
(5) Why are fixed charge water rates and consumption charges for Nilgin Service Co Ltd favouring the larger water users at the expense of pensioners who do not have equitable access to rebates like those provided by the Water Corporation?
(1) Why are private water supply providers such as Nilgin Service Co Ltd, exempt from the requirement to hold an licence under the Water Service Coordination (Plumbing Licensing) Regulations 2000 which means that unqualified people can work on water supplies operated by companies with an operating licence?
(2) What long term measures have put in place by the Office of Water Regulation to ensure that those who hold water supply operating licences including private water companies such as Nilgin Service Company have qualified or licensed people working on water supplies?
(3) Will the review of the
Water Services Coordination Act 1995
be examining the need for the licensing of qualified employees of private water supply providers and recommending an essential minimum qualification for people working on water supplies including water quality testing?
(4) Why does the State Government provide a pensioner rebate only to those pensioners who have access to services provided by the Water Corporation, effectively discriminating against those who have to access service provided by a private water company?
(5) Why are fixed charge water rates and consumption charges for Nilgin Service Co Ltd favouring the larger water users at the expense of pensioners who do not have equitable access to rebates like those provided by the Water Corporation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 March 2003
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
76 days
(2) All licensees are required, under the Water Services Coordination Act 1995, to demonstrate their technical and financial capacity to operate a water service. (3) The Review of the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 is being conducted by an Independent Panel which is able to examine any issues relevant to the operation of the Act. The Terms of Reference for the Review are: Review the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 in accordance with section 62 of that Act, and with a view to ensuring the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry that: - is sustainable; - efficient; and - protects and meets the needs of customers of water service providers. The Review of the Act is to: 1. Include, but not be limited by, a review of the functions in section 5 of the Act and their appropriateness given the issues facing the water industry in Western Australia and given the emerging regulatory environment; 2. Ensure the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of the Act in achieving the functions under section 5 of the Act; 3. Consider and make recommendations on any interactions and overlaps with other legislation in the water industry with significant impact on the regulation of the industry; 4. Recognise the subsequent integration of the water industry into the Economic Regulation Authority and make recommendations that enable the best fit of the necessary legislative provisions with the new institutional architecture; 5. With regard to Part 5A of the Act, make recommendations that only address the most appropriate legislative arrangements, given the delegation of responsibility for supporting the regulation of the plumbing industry to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection; and 6. Consider any other matter that might contribute to a more effective working of the Act. In undertaking this Review, the Review Panel is to have regard to; a) the State's commitments under the National Competition Policy Agreement; and b) relevant recommendations of the Machinery of Government Task Force Report, especially the formation of the Economic Regulation Authority. (4) Some licensees provide the discount to their customers of their own volition and such an approach is able to be undertaken by any licensed service provider. The Office of Water Regulation does not have responsibility for pensioner concessions. This is a matter for the Department of Treasury and Finance. (5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
(3) The Review of the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 is being conducted by an Independent Panel which is able to examine any issues relevant to the operation of the Act. The Terms of Reference for the Review are: Review the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 in accordance with section 62 of that Act, and with a view to ensuring the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry that: - is sustainable; - efficient; and - protects and meets the needs of customers of water service providers. The Review of the Act is to: 1. Include, but not be limited by, a review of the functions in section 5 of the Act and their appropriateness given the issues facing the water industry in Western Australia and given the emerging regulatory environment; 2. Ensure the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of the Act in achieving the functions under section 5 of the Act; 3. Consider and make recommendations on any interactions and overlaps with other legislation in the water industry with significant impact on the regulation of the industry; 4. Recognise the subsequent integration of the water industry into the Economic Regulation Authority and make recommendations that enable the best fit of the necessary legislative provisions with the new institutional architecture; 5. With regard to Part 5A of the Act, make recommendations that only address the most appropriate legislative arrangements, given the delegation of responsibility for supporting the regulation of the plumbing industry to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection; and 6. Consider any other matter that might contribute to a more effective working of the Act. In undertaking this Review, the Review Panel is to have regard to; a) the State's commitments under the National Competition Policy Agreement; and b) relevant recommendations of the Machinery of Government Task Force Report, especially the formation of the Economic Regulation Authority. (4) Some licensees provide the discount to their customers of their own volition and such an approach is able to be undertaken by any licensed service provider. The Office of Water Regulation does not have responsibility for pensioner concessions. This is a matter for the Department of Treasury and Finance. (5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
Review the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 in accordance with section 62 of that Act, and with a view to ensuring the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry that: - is sustainable; - efficient; and - protects and meets the needs of customers of water service providers. The Review of the Act is to: 1. Include, but not be limited by, a review of the functions in section 5 of the Act and their appropriateness given the issues facing the water industry in Western Australia and given the emerging regulatory environment; 2. Ensure the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of the Act in achieving the functions under section 5 of the Act; 3. Consider and make recommendations on any interactions and overlaps with other legislation in the water industry with significant impact on the regulation of the industry; 4. Recognise the subsequent integration of the water industry into the Economic Regulation Authority and make recommendations that enable the best fit of the necessary legislative provisions with the new institutional architecture; 5. With regard to Part 5A of the Act, make recommendations that only address the most appropriate legislative arrangements, given the delegation of responsibility for supporting the regulation of the plumbing industry to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection; and 6. Consider any other matter that might contribute to a more effective working of the Act. In undertaking this Review, the Review Panel is to have regard to; a) the State's commitments under the National Competition Policy Agreement; and b) relevant recommendations of the Machinery of Government Task Force Report, especially the formation of the Economic Regulation Authority. (4) Some licensees provide the discount to their customers of their own volition and such an approach is able to be undertaken by any licensed service provider. The Office of Water Regulation does not have responsibility for pensioner concessions. This is a matter for the Department of Treasury and Finance. (5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
(5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
(3) The Review of the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 is being conducted by an Independent Panel which is able to examine any issues relevant to the operation of the Act. The Terms of Reference for the Review are: Review the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 in accordance with section 62 of that Act, and with a view to ensuring the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry that: - is sustainable; - efficient; and - protects and meets the needs of customers of water service providers. The Review of the Act is to: 1. Include, but not be limited by, a review of the functions in section 5 of the Act and their appropriateness given the issues facing the water industry in Western Australia and given the emerging regulatory environment; 2. Ensure the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of the Act in achieving the functions under section 5 of the Act; 3. Consider and make recommendations on any interactions and overlaps with other legislation in the water industry with significant impact on the regulation of the industry; 4. Recognise the subsequent integration of the water industry into the Economic Regulation Authority and make recommendations that enable the best fit of the necessary legislative provisions with the new institutional architecture; 5. With regard to Part 5A of the Act, make recommendations that only address the most appropriate legislative arrangements, given the delegation of responsibility for supporting the regulation of the plumbing industry to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection; and 6. Consider any other matter that might contribute to a more effective working of the Act. In undertaking this Review, the Review Panel is to have regard to; a) the State's commitments under the National Competition Policy Agreement; and b) relevant recommendations of the Machinery of Government Task Force Report, especially the formation of the Economic Regulation Authority. (4) Some licensees provide the discount to their customers of their own volition and such an approach is able to be undertaken by any licensed service provider. The Office of Water Regulation does not have responsibility for pensioner concessions. This is a matter for the Department of Treasury and Finance. (5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
Review the Water Services Coordination Act 1995 in accordance with section 62 of that Act, and with a view to ensuring the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry in Western Australia. The Review is to make recommendations that promote a regulatory regime for the water industry that: - is sustainable; - efficient; and - protects and meets the needs of customers of water service providers. The Review of the Act is to: 1. Include, but not be limited by, a review of the functions in section 5 of the Act and their appropriateness given the issues facing the water industry in Western Australia and given the emerging regulatory environment; 2. Ensure the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the provisions of the Act in achieving the functions under section 5 of the Act; 3. Consider and make recommendations on any interactions and overlaps with other legislation in the water industry with significant impact on the regulation of the industry; 4. Recognise the subsequent integration of the water industry into the Economic Regulation Authority and make recommendations that enable the best fit of the necessary legislative provisions with the new institutional architecture; 5. With regard to Part 5A of the Act, make recommendations that only address the most appropriate legislative arrangements, given the delegation of responsibility for supporting the regulation of the plumbing industry to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection; and 6. Consider any other matter that might contribute to a more effective working of the Act. In undertaking this Review, the Review Panel is to have regard to; a) the State's commitments under the National Competition Policy Agreement; and b) relevant recommendations of the Machinery of Government Task Force Report, especially the formation of the Economic Regulation Authority. (4) Some licensees provide the discount to their customers of their own volition and such an approach is able to be undertaken by any licensed service provider. The Office of Water Regulation does not have responsibility for pensioner concessions. This is a matter for the Department of Treasury and Finance. (5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
(5) All residents receiving services from the Nilgin Services Company are shareholders of that Company. Decisions about pricing are made by the Company which then submits recommendations to the Office of Water Regulation for endorsement.
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