On 13 January 2005, the State Government of Western Australia referred to the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) for an inquiry the cost of supplying bulk potable water to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
In this inquiry, the ERA compared the cost of transporting water from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder to the cost of the proposal by United Utilities to transport desalinated seawater by pipeline from Esperance to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The ERA undertook a cost-benefit analysis of each option, which included the impacts on consumers, the impacts on the State Government's finances, the potential to enhance regional economic development and the potential to defer capital expenditure on water source development for Perth.
The original terms of reference and subsequent amendments to the reference are here.
The ERA published its draft report on the inquiry on 30 June 2005 and invited comments from the public. Submissions received on the draft report can be seen here. The Authority also held public forums in Kalgoorlie and Esperance to discuss the findings of the draft report.
The final report of the inquiry, including recommendations, was delivered to the Treasurer on 14 October 2005. The Treasurer tabled the final report in Parliament on 9 November 2005 (the attached notice refers).
