On 20 October 2005, the State Government of Western Australia directed the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) to conduct an inquiry, with direct input from the public, into the Water Corporation's country potable water and wastewater (sewerage) prices. The inquiry was the first independent evaluation of Western Australian country water prices and provided an opportunity for Western Australians to have direct input into the process of determining country water and wastewater prices. A previous ERA inquiry provided advice to the State Government on urban water and wastewater pricing (Perth, Bunbury and Busselton), but did not extend to prices in country areas.
The Terms of Reference for the inquiry on country water and wastewater pricing can be found here.
The ERA published an issues paper on 9 December 2005, providing background information and outlining the issues to be investigated. The issues paper invited submissions from industry, government, other stakeholder groups and the general community. The submissions received by the ERA on the issues paper can be viewed here.
The ERA published a draft report on 31 January 2006 and invited submissions, which can be viewed here. The ERA also held public forums in Mandurah, Geraldton, Albany, Kalgoorlie and Northam to discuss the findings in the draft report.
The ERA delivered the final report for the inquiry to the State Government on 23 June 2006. The State Government released the final report on 21 July 2006 (see notice). The recommendations in the final report will inform the Government's decisions on the level and structure of country water and wastewater prices to apply from July 2007.
