Central Tablelands Water is inviting members of the public to review their latest draft documents.
The Board of Central Tablelands Water (CTW) considered and endorsed the draft 2021/2022 Operational Plan and 2021/22 to 2030/31 Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) to be placed on public display for a period of 28 days. The Board will consider all submissions at its next meeting on 16 June, prior to formally adopting the plans.
Gavin Rhodes, general manager of CTW said, “The draft financial plans provide for the ongoing financial sustainability of CTW over the next decade, whilst continuing to deliver an essential service of quality drinking water to our valued customers throughout the supply network. These plans also provide for vital major capital renewals and infrastructure upgrades.”
Gavin added, “CTW does not receive recurrent government grants to fund its operations and only has limited access to capital grants for funding of its large capital works program. CTW’s revenue is derived from its fees and charges, and as a result, consumption charges for financial year 21/22 are proposed to increase by 6.7% from $3.28 per kilolitre (kL) to $3.50kL; with the annual availability charge proposed to increase by 1.6% from $244 to $248 per annum for a standard 20mm meter connection.”
“Overall, these proposed increases, will see the average residential water bill of using 182kL paying an additional $44 per year or 85 cents per week,” Mr Rhodes said.
Other main fees and charges in the draft Operational Plan include developer charges at $6,211 per equivalent tenement (ET) for the Lake Rowlands supply area; capital contribution charge at $6,211 per ET for in-fill properties not subject to subdivision for the Lake Rowlands supply area; and capital contribution charge at $3,105 per ET for the Quandialla supply area.
CTW’s chairman, Cr David Somervaille said, “The CTW Board is well aware of the challenges faced by CTW in delivering an essential service and the importance of strategic long term financial planning. The draft LTFP includes major capital projects such as the new 12 megalitre reservoir at the Carcoar Water Filtration Plant which will greatly assist with the daily operations of the CTW supply network and if the augmentation of Lake Rowlands finally comes to fruition, it will shore up the water security needs of our existing consumers and provide for growth well into the future. A major challenge will be funding the ever-increasing depreciation expense of CTW’s high cost assets.”
“On behalf of the CTW Board, I would like to thank senior management and staff for developing these important draft financial plans and I encourage all consumers to read the plans and provide feedback as necessary.”
CTW is a water supply authority constituted under NSW Local Government legislation. First proclaimed in 1944, the county embraces the Shires of Blayney, Cabonne and Weddin, providing drinking water to these communities. CTW currently has approximately 6,000 water connections and provides potable water to 15,000 consumers in 14 towns and villages.
The draft documents are currently on public exhibition at Council’s Blayney Of-fice at 30 Church Street, Blayney and on CTW’s website www.ctw.nsw.gov.au/publications/documents-on-public-display/
Members of the public are invited to review the draft documents and make written submissions by 4pm, 4 June to: General Manager Central Tablelands Water PO Box 61 BLAYNEY NSW 2799 or email water@ctw.nsw.gov.au.