Community recommendations for water sector revealed

Community recommendations for water sector revealed

Seven recommendations for the future of water in Tasmania have been presented to TasWater following the final meeting of the Water Future Community Advisory Panel on Saturday.

The recommendations come after 18 months of customer research and engagement, including five full days of deliberation with the 45-member community panel.

The panel considered feedback from 8,000 community interactions, their own visits to TasWater sites, and workshops with TasWater staff, and views from external experts to develop their recommendations.

The recommendations from the community for the development of TasWater’s Price and Service Plan 5 are:

1. Protect and improve the environment and water security
2. Education and incentives for water conservation
3. Increase awareness of the TasWater Assist Program
4. Upgrade of metering
5. Remodel the pricing structure
6. Proactive Infrastructure management and maintenance
7. Supply water and sewage services to unserviced communities

TasWater General Manager Customer and Community Matt Balfe said the report and recommendations would guide the organisation’s price and service plan submission and
be made public for all to see.

“Over the last two months, the panel has met to discuss a raft of feedback from the community, including the current pricing structure, standard of service, and future price increases,” Mr Balfe said.

“TasWater staff and subject matter experts have also been involved throughout the process, presenting at workshops and answering panel questions on price and service impacts of potential recommendations.

“We even invited external experts to present at the request of the panel.

“It’s clear to us that Tasmanians are passionate about ensuring our water infrastructure is resilient and capable of adapting to future challenges.”

Mr Balfe said the entire panel should be proud of the work they’ve achieved so far.

“It’s a credit to each member of the panel for being so invested in this process. They all did their own due diligence and even attended site tours of our treatment facilities to gain a true understanding of the effort and resources that go into treating water and sewage,” Mr Balfe said.

"There have been several tough discussions with the group, including price impacts, which was informed by our innovative Bill Simulator.”

These recommendations will be considered as part of TasWater’s Price and Service Plan 5 submission to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator in June, 2025. Read the report here: Key recommendations for the future of water revealed | Shaping Tasmania's Water Future | Your Say

TasWater is investing $1.9 billion in its network over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.