On 15 June 2004, the State Government of Western Australian directed the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) to conduct an inquiry, with direct input from the public, into water and wastewater (sewerage) prices in urban Western Australia.
The inquiry was the first independent evaluation of water prices across the State and provided an opportunity for Western Australians to have direct input into the process of determining water and wastewater prices. The inquiry focussed on the cities and towns in Western Australia serviced by the Water Corporation, Bunbury Water Board (AQWEST) and Busselton Water Board (Busselton Water). The inquiry did not cover other water service providers, rural water prices or the pricing of drainage, trade-waste and developers' contributions.
The ERA published an information pamphlet and issues paper on 22 July 2004. Submissions were received in response to the Issues Paper and are available to view or download here.
A methodology paper describing the methodology that the ERA would use to arrive at its pricing recommendations was released on 15 October 2004. Draft pricing submissions were received from each service provider by 26 November 2004 and final submissions were received on 24 December 2004.
The draft report was published on 18 March 2005. Submissions in response to the draft report are available to view or download here.
The ERA held public forums in Perth on 19 May 2005, and in Bunbury and Busselton on 23 May 2005 to discuss the Draft Report and any submissions that were received. Transcripts of talks and proceedings from the Perth forum are available here.
The final report was delivered to the Treasurer on 4 November 2005, and was released by the Treasurer on 30 November 2005. The Final Report presents the Authority's recommendations on the level and structure of water and wastewater prices and the system it proposes the Government adopt to set prices for the Water Corporation, AQWEST and Busselton Water.
The Government will take the recommendations into account in determining water and wastewater prices to apply from July 2006.
