Queensland rationalises water authorities
The Queensland Government has announced a three member interim board to lead the transition of three bulk water entities into a single body – the South East Queensland Bulk Water Company Limited - from next year.
Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark McArdle said Mr Noel Faulkner (Chair), Mr Michael Arnett and Ms Leith Boully would manage the merger of the three existing bulk water entities – Seqwater, LinkWater and the SEQ Water Grid Manager.
“The merger is a key component of the State Government’s Four Point Water Plan and will help reduce the cost of supplying drinking water across the south east,” Mr McArdle said.
“The transition from three bulk water businesses to a single supply authority is an important step in simplifying the previous water delivery model. It will cut operating costs as well as board and executive costs and other administrative charges.
“Under the new arrangement, the SEQ Water Grid Manager will be dissolved by 1 January 2013 and its functions transferred to the new entity.”
Mr McArdle said the Queensland Government had also begun the process of winding up the Queensland Water Commission, with most of its functions to be transferred to the Department by 1 January 2013.