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Legislative Amendments

Legislative Amendments

Legislative Amendments
Date: 29-Jun-2017

The Water Supply Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced into parliament on Tuesday 11 February. The draft bill is available here and explanatory notes here.

The objectives of the Bill are (with additional explanatory notes for the provisions of likely interest to members):

  1. provide a streamlined process for water and sewerage connection approvals (utility model) for South East Queensland (SEQ) distributor-retailers

Provides a new utility model commencing on 1 July 2014 allowing distribution/ retail entities in SEQ to have direct control of new connections in the development approval process.  The model will be amended before commencement to reflect the outcomes of the current DSDIP Infrastructure Charging and Planning Reform Review.

  1. transform the regulation of water and sewerage service providers

Removal of many of the management plans foreshadowed in eFlash #194 paving the way for Customer Service Standards, Annual Performance Reporting through Key Performance Indicators, comparative reports in future and Drinking Water Quality Management Plans as the remaining main requirements administered through DEWS.  DEWS will send letters to all service providers concerning the KPI framework, and the second eFlash item below provides more background.

The draft legislation proposes penalties where a service provider fails to maintain customer service standards, provide reports and other requested information, or comply with directions.  It simplifies a number of existing CSS processes.  It removes the requirement for WSPS to provide residential tenants with data about their water consumption.

  1. reduce the regulatory burden on recycled water providers

Under the amendments, lower risk schemes will be registered, but Recycled Water Management Plans will only be required for higher risk uses; i.e. augmentation of drinking water, dual reticulation and use on minimally processed food crops.

  1. improve the operation of distribution and retail water businesses in SEQ by removing the requirement to publish draft charges, and increasing the number of councillors allowed on distributor-retailer boards.

 As stated, but also includes provisions for SEQ entities to share debtor information.

  1. enable authorised persons appointed by a water service provider to install certain water meters, in addition to licensed plumbers

This proposed change essentially tidies up a conflict between plumbing and drainage legislation and the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act.   Water Service Providers will have a clear mandate to authorise who can install water meters.  It does not apply to services beyond the property boundary (i.e. sub-meters) and does not preclude the use of licensed persons, which is common in many councils.

  1. streamline appeal provisions relating to dam safety matters

Specifically relates to failure impact assessment triggers and updating appeal provisions to include reviewal decisions relating to referable dams.

  1. repeal the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1909 (Metropolitan Water Act).

Removal of now redundant legislation.

The Bill now goes to the State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Committee for public consultation.  All WSPs should receive an invitation from the Committee to provide a submission, and qldwater intends to lodge one so please let us know if you have comments to be included in a generic industry response.  The Committee is due to report to parliament by the end of March, with final debate likely in early April.  Many provisions are due to commence on 1 July 2014.

Please contact Dave Cameron at dcameron@qldwater.com.au or phone 3632 6854 if you have any queries.

 

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