Long term water security already underway

Wyong Shire Council today responded to claims that a new Central Coast Water Corporation was needed to secure the future of the region’s long-term water supply system.

Wyong Mayor, Warren Welham, disagreed with the NSW Water Minister Nathan Rees who claimed a new Water Corporation was necessary to guarantee the certainty of water supply on the Central Coast.

“What Minister Rees has failed to acknowledge is that Wyong and Gosford councils are already securing the future of our water supply under the current water authority structure,” said Mayor Welham.

“The two Councils have already developed our long-term water supply strategy ‘WaterPlan 2050’ in partnership with the community.

“The NSW Department of Planning, in releasing the Central Coast Regional Strategy has clearly recognised that the Councils have secured the Central Coast water supply through their drought management actions and the preparation of ‘WaterPlan 2050’.

“We have started implementing WaterPlan 2050 in a number of ways, including the creation of the significant Mardi-Mangrove Link project.

“The Mardi-Mangrove Link project is well underway and actions have been taken on a number of pre-construction works.”

Mayor Welham said Wyong Shire Council had consistently expressed legitimate concern about the model proposed by the State Government for the Water Corporation.

“Council has raised concerns about a range of issues and the Minister has still not adequately addressed those issues,” he said.

“Wyong Council will not endorse the NSW Government’s proposal voluntarily until we can be sure it is in the best interests of the Central Coast community.

“At the moment we have no such assurances from the Minister and Council will therefore continue to act responsibly by not committing to something which may be detrimental to our community.

“The Minister’s actions and statements about the councils this week clearly demonstrate that he is already willing to abuse his ministerial power over local water management issues.

“If this is already happening now, it can happen again in the future.

“The Central Coast community have clearly indicated they want their water supply system to remain in the hands of the local Councils, not the Minister.”

“We are willing to sit down with Gosford City Council and the Minister to find a way forward that satisfies everyone.”

Media contact: Lisa McDermott - 0438 980 445

Page last updated: 02/06/2008