WATER RATES

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mineral Resources Development, representing the Minister for Water Security, a question concerning water usage rate accounts.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: About 12 months ago SA Water was required to make ex gratia payments amounting to millions of dollars as a result of incorrectly applying the water charges which came into force on 1 July 2008 to water used before that date. Following this debacle, SA Water introduced quarterly meter readings in place of half-yearly water meter readings. However, many ratepayers whose water accounts straddled 30 June and 1 July this year have found that they are still being overcharged for water. This is due to the fact that the price of water increased by approximately 30 per cent on 1 July this year, and the amount of water actually used from 1 July was less than what SA Water has estimated.

Given the implementation of quarterly meter readings, which have cost taxpayers an extra $1 million a year and there are still problems with overcharging, what action is SA Water going to take to correct this problem so that ratepayers pay an amount of water for water actually used and not estimated to have been used?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:36): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will refer it to the Minister for Water Security, but I do note that we had a lengthy debate when these changed charges came before the parliament. I know that briefings were provided to most members of parliament in relation to the impact of those changes, which are of course quite complex. I would have thought that most of the issues that had arisen were addressed then. I will refer the question to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.