Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Water Rates WATER RATES The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council WATER RATES The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (16:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Water, a question about the impact of increased water rates on community sport. Leave granted. The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: I have spoken recently with members of a number of sporting and community groups about their concerns that rising water prices are affecting sporting clubs. In the year 2009-10 water rates for sporting clubs using over 520 kilolitres were $2.26 a kilolitre. In the year 2010-11 the rates will be $2.98 a kilolitre. In real terms the cost of 10,000 kilolitres of water has gone from $22,600 in 2009-10 to a forecast of $29,800 in 2010-11. This rise in rates could cripple community sporting clubs, in particular those clubs that have a strong focus on junior sport. Many clubs are concerned that the flow-on effect of increased residential rates has not been considered with regard to sporting clubs. My question is: given the government has shown a distinct and continued lack of interest towards community sport, does the government concede that it must now act to support grassroots sporting activities and protect them from this burden of increased water rates? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (16:06): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will refer it to the Minister for Water in another place and bring back a response.