Gosford City Council to Push Ahead with Formation of New Central Coast Water Authority

Gosford City Council last night agreed with the unanimous decision of the joint Wyong and Gosford Councils’ meeting to push ahead with the formation of a new Central Coast Water Corporation along the lines of the model previously outlined by the NSW Minister for Water Utilities, the Hon David Campbell MP.

‘The model isn’t quite what we asked for from the Minister however we have the opportunity to address our ongoing concerns,’ said Gosford City Council’s Mayor, Laurie Maher.

‘The formation of the new Corporation won’t bring us additional water but it will allow us to manage it more efficiently. The current Joint Water Authority has had its problems but it’s totally inappropriate for the Premier and State Government to be claiming that the current solutions we’re implementing to better manage the water supply system were their idea.

‘The array of drought contingency actions we’re implementing is work that should have been done 20 years ago but every one of these initiatives has come from the Joint Water Authority. These projects, together with State and Federal Government assistance, will enable us to ensure the region has a sustainable water supply system into the future.’

The Council’s resolution, which was passed unanimously, follows on from a recommendation last week from the joint Council meeting which, in addition to acceptance of the Minister’s proposal, agreed that: 

-     Councils be able to view a draft copy of the proposed legislation that will be introduced into the NSW Parliament to enable the new Corporation to be established

-     Councils seek corporate legal advice and form a joint committee to address all concerns and issues relating to the drafting of a Constitution, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Understanding, Shareholders Agreement and Statements of Corporate Intent for the new Corporation.

The decision by Gosford City Council follows receipt of a letter from the Minister on 15 September advising that legislation for the establishment of a Central Coast Water Authority would be introduced in the Spring session of the NSW Parliament.

‘In his letter, the Minister confirmed the new entity would be a statutory corporation that is wholly owned by Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils,’ said Laurie Maher.

‘He also confirmed that the transfer of employees and assets necessary to perform its functions as a Water Supply Authority could be negotiated over the next three to five years. It would be up to the two Councils to decide when and which assets would be transferred in the first three years of the Corporation’s operation. After this period, the Minister would have the power to transfer additional assets as required.’

The Minister’s letter also stated that the new Corporation would be issued with an operating licence from the State Government to enable it to formulate and direct the region’s ongoing water policy.

‘The Minister gave us his assurance in writing that the State Government would not, under any circumstances, be able to gain control or ownership of the Councils’ water assets,’ said Laurie Maher. ‘And that the assets which are transferred into the Central Coast Water Corporation will still be wholly owned by the two Councils.’

The two Councils will nominate individual members to the new Corporation. In turn, the Minister will appoint an independent Chairperson in consultation with both Councils.

The Minister also indicated that one Councillor from each of the Councils could be included on the Corporation’s new Board.

‘We certainly believe this is an important step forward to us establishing a new Central Coast Water Authority, the creation of which is in the best interest of everyone who lives and works on the Central Coast,’ said Laurie Maher.

‘What we need now is for the two Councils to work together and get on with the job of drafting the required legal documents such as a Constitution and Articles of Association that will govern how the new Corporation operates.’

ENDS

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