Sydney Water Explained

Agency Name:Sydney Water
Type:State-owned statutory corporation
Formed:1 July 1995
Jurisdiction:Greater Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains
Headquarters:1 Smith Street, Parramatta
Minister1 Pfo:Treasurer of New South Wales
Chief1 Name:Roch Cheroux
Chief1 Position:Managing Director
Chief2 Name:Grant King
Chief2 Position:Chairman
Parent Agency:Government of New South Wales
Website:www.sydneywater.com.au

Sydney Water, formally, Sydney Water Corporation, is a Government of New South Walesowned statutory corporation that provides potable drinking water, wastewater and some stormwater services to Greater Metropolitan Sydney, the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains regions, in the Australian state of New South Wales.

History

The origins of Sydney Water go back to 26 March 1888 when the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Amendment Act, 1888 was enacted and repealed certain sections of the Sydney Corporation Act, 1879 relating to water supply and sewerage, thereby transferring the property, powers and obligations from the Municipal Council to the Board of Water Supply and Sewerage.

During 2023 New South Wales state election, confidential documents from KPMG and Clayton Utz regarding the privatisation of Sydney Water were made public. Dominic Perrottet, who was the Treasurer at the time had previously declared in March 2020 that he had no plans to even do a study on privatisation, but the documents revealed that studies had taken place in January 2020 and later in November 2021, with the reporting making it clear the study was done due to direct pressure from the Government.[1] During and after the election NSW Labor pledged to enshrine government ownership of Sydney Water in the NSW state constitution.[2] [3] a similar move that the Victorian government was doing with .

Name changes

The forebears of Sydney Water include:

Water supply management

See main article: 1998 Sydney water crisis. Sydney Water's management received extensive criticism following the 1998 Sydney water crisis regarding what was believed to be the large scale contamination of Sydney's raw water supply. The supposed contamination was heightened levels of cryptosporidium and giardia in Sydney's Warragamba Dam. This meant the public had to take extra steps in their own homes to ensure tap water was safe to drink.[7] After this event, the Sydney Catchment Authority was created to manage Sydney's dams, reservoirs, raw water and catchment areas. The Chairman of Sydney Water, David Hill resigned ten days after the crisis and denied any responsibility, claiming he was leaving only to concentrate on his political career.[8]

On 1 January 2015, The Sydney Catchment Authority was merged with State Water Corporation to form WaterNSW so that WaterNSW is now the supplier of raw water to Sydney Water.

In June 2022, Sydney Water started working with decentralized greywater recycling system producer Hydraloop for reducing water use.[9] [10]

Water restrictions

Since June 2019 Sydney Water replaced water restrictions with Water Wise Rules. The Rules are:

Level 1 water restrictions (subject to change at any time by NSW Government)

Commercial Businesses who use water in the course of their activities are required to apply for a permit, it's free and can be done via the internet or over the phone on 13 20 92, penalties may apply if caught working without a permit.

NSW government have empowered Sydney Water Community Water Officers the authority to impose fines of $220 for violations of the rules for individuals, $550 for businesses, and $2,200 for individuals and $4,400 for businesses water theft. Rules are enforced by Sydney Water staff known as Community Water Officers through random checks and intelligence gathered from the community.[11]

Headquarters and influence

Sydney Water, and its predecessors, had for virtually all of its existence dating back to the 19th century, been located in the Sydney central business district at the corner of Pitt and Bathurst streets, directly above Town Hall railway station. The central location of Sydney Water in Sydney reflected the organisation's strategic significance as the lead organisation in planning Sydney's growth and future expansion. Without water services, no residential or business growth could occur in Sydney, the Illawarra or Blue Mountains.

Sydney Water's headquarters were relocated to Parramatta in May 2009.[12] The historic former headquarters building has been redeveloped into a hotel, with the adjacent 1969 building being extended into a skyscraper.

The developer, Brookfield Multiplex, valued the new Parramatta headquarters project at A$176 million.[13] Under this deal, rather than Sydney Water owning its own building, the corporation would enter a long-term lease with a private sector provider, who would own and maintain the corporate head office, at an annual rent charged to the NSW taxpayer.

The main suburban offices throughout Sydney were all closed in the mid 2000's, including offices at Blacktown, Rockdale, Liverpool and Chatswood, with services consolidated to the Head quarters for efficiency. The Rockdale office was opened in 1990 and closed in 2004[14] These offices were traditionally dealing with customer queries, but saw a drop in use as customers started paying their bills via the internet[15]

Desalination

In early 2010 operations of the Sydney Desalination Plant began;[16] with a licence granted to Veolia Water to operate the plant and supply Sydney Water with drinking water. In 2012, the NSW Government entered into a 50year lease with Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Ltd (DSP), a company jointly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (50%) and two funds managed by Hastings Funds Management Limited: Utilities Trust of Australia and The Infrastructure Fund (together 50%).[17] The terms of the 2.3 billion lease lock Sydney Water into a 50year water supply agreement with DSP.[18]

Land Ownership

Sydney Water is the owner of numerous parklands and public areas in Sydney. Local councils and sporting facilities typically license or lease these properties from Sydney Water, in order to enable public use. Many sites are on land that are part of the historic Botany Water Reserves. Properties currently owned by Sydney Water include:

Executives

From 1888 to 1987, Sydney Water and its predecessors were managed by the president, who effectively served as chair of the board and managing director. However, with the passing of the Water Board Act, 1987, the roles were split between an executive managing director and a non-executive chairman of the board.[19]

Presidents, 1888–1987

PresidentTermNotes
Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
1Thomas Rowe26 March 1888 – 24 March 1892[20]
Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
2Cecil West Darley24 March 1892 – 20 March 1896[21]
–Thomas Rowe20 March 1896 – 14 January 1899[22]
3Jacob Garrard24 January 1899 – 22 March 1904[23]
4Thomas William Keele22 March 1904 – 22 March 1908[24] [25]
5William James Millner22 March 1908 – 31 March 1925[26] [27]
Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board
6Thomas Bryce Cooper31 March 1925 – 30 April 1935[28]
7Thomas Haynes Upton30 April 1935 – 15 April 1955[29] [30] [31] [32]
8John William Goodsell15 April 1955 – 23 September 1960[33] [34] [35]
9Stanley Haviland23 September 1960 – 22 September 1965[36] [37]
10Edwin James Walder22 September 1965 – 15 October 1981[38] [39] [40] [41]
11Eric George Warrell15 October 1981 – 16 June 1987[42]

Managing Directors, 1987–date

Managing DirectorTermNotes
Water Board
1Robert Ernest Wilson23 October 1987 – 2 April 1993[43]
2Paul Anthony Broad5 April 1993 – 31 December 1994
Sydney Water Corporation
–Paul Anthony Broad1 January 1995 – 29 September 1997[44]
3Christopher Pollett29 September 1997 – 19 August 1998[45]
4Warren Hart19 August 1998 – 16 November 1998[46]
5Alex Walker16 November 1998 – 30 November 2002[47]
–Ron Quill (Acting)30 November 2002 – 26 May 2003
6Gregory Francis Robinson26 May 2003 – 26 February 2004[48] [49] [50] [51]
7William David Evans27 February 2004 – 1 August 2006[52] [53]
8Kerry Schott2 August 2006 – 1 August 2011[54] [55] [56]
9Kevin Young1 August 2011 – 31 July 2019[57] [58] [59]
10Roch Cheroux2 September 2019 – date[60] [61]

Chairs, 1987–date

ChairmanTermNotes
Water Board
1David Anthony Harley19 October 1988 – 15 September 1992[62] [63]
2John McMurtrieFebruary 1993 – 31 December 1994[64] [65]
Sydney Water Corporation
–John McMurtrie1 January 1995 – 21 November 1997
3David Hill21 November 1997 – August 1998
4Gabrielle KibbleAugust 1998 – 31 May 2007[66]
5Thomas Gregory Parry1 June 2007 – 30 September 2013[67]
6Bruce Morgan1 October 2013 – 30 September 2021[68]
7Grant King1 October 2021 – present[69] [70]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Green . Eli . 14 March 2023 . Confidential documents show plan for Sydney Water to part-privatise new plant . news.com.au.
  2. News: Wang . Jessica . 19 March 2023 . ‘Back door fire sale’: Labor Leader Chris Minns’ dire warning as privatisation row fires up . news.com.au.
  3. News: Perrottet promises to cap Opal card costs as Minns makes move to stop Sydney Water sale . ABC News . 19 March 2023 .
  4. Web site: Agency Profile of the Board of Water Supply and Sewerage. State Records Authority of New South Wales. 7 February 2008.
  5. Web site: Agency Profile of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board. State Records Authority of New South Wales. 7 February 2008.
  6. Web site: Agency Profile of the Sydney Water Corporation Limited. State Records Authority of New South Wales. 7 February 2008.
  7. The Great Sydney Water crisis of 1998. SpringerLink – The Netherlands. 10.1023/A:1005255202854. 2000WASP..123..419S. 2000. Stein. P. L.. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 123. 419–436. 91943135 .
  8. News: David Hill: from Giardia to Labor MP? . . Francis, Geoff . Hicks, Peter . 16 September 1998 . 16 March 2014 .
  9. Web site: O'Mahony . Ciaran . 2022-08-25 . Sydney Water pilots award-winning water recycling system . 2022-10-27 . Utility Magazine.
  10. Web site: Edwards . Chris . 2022-08-28 . Sydney Water trialing Hydraloop to reduce water use . 2022-10-27 . Inside Water . en-AU.
  11. Web site: Water restrictions. Sydney Water. en.
  12. Web site: Our corporate head office. https://web.archive.org/web/20100211161852/http://www.sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/OneSmithStreet/. 11 February 2010.
  13. Web site: Sydney Water Corporate Headquarters, Parramatta. Multiplex.
  14. News: Barrymore . Karina . 25 November 2004 . 18pc surge in clearance rates . 54 . Australian Financial Review.
  15. News: COGNO . LUISA . 2 June 2004 . Water works shut . 5 . The Blacktown Advocate.
  16. News: Sydney's desal plant switched on . . . 28 January 2010 . 16 March 2014 .
  17. Web site: Ownership Structure . About . Sydney Desalination Plant. 2013 . 16 March 2014 .
  18. News: NSW signs $2.3b desalination plant deal. Sydney Morning Herald. 11 May 2012 . 16 March 2014 .
  19. Web site: WATER BOARD ACT 1987 No. 141 . legislation.nsw.gov.au . NSW Government . 21 June 2020.
  20. News: Government Gazette Appointments and Employment . New South Wales Government Gazette . New South Wales, Australia . 26 March 1888 . 13 June 2020 . 2243 . Trove .
  21. News: Government Gazette Appointments and Employment . New South Wales Government Gazette . New South Wales, Australia . 25 March 1892 . 13 June 2020 . 2465 . Trove .
  22. News: Government Gazette Appointments and Employment . New South Wales Government Gazette . New South Wales, Australia . 20 March 1896 . 13 June 2020 . 2046 . Trove .
  23. News: Government Gazette Appointments and Employment . New South Wales Government Gazette . New South Wales, Australia . 27 January 1899 . 13 June 2020 . 734 . Trove .
  24. News: NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL MEMBER AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE. . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 22 March 1904 . 13 June 2020 . 2464 . Trove .
  25. News: NOTED ENGINEER. . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 20 June 1927 . 13 June 2020 . 14 . Trove .
  26. News: NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL MEMBER AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE. . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 25 March 1908 . 13 June 2020 . 1680 . Trove .
  27. News: OBITUARY. . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 2 November 1933 . 13 June 2020 . 15 . Trove .
  28. News: WATER BOARD. . The Sydney Morning Herald . New South Wales, Australia . 24 March 1925 . 13 June 2020 . 8 . Trove .
  29. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACTS, 1924-35. . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia . 30 April 1935 . 13 June 2020 . 1822 . Trove .
  30. News: FOR WATER BOARD . The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 30 April 1935 . 13 June 2020 . 1 . Trove .
  31. News: WATER BOARD PRESIDENT. . The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia . 30 April 1935 . 13 June 2020 . 12 . Trove .
  32. T. F. C. Lawrence, 'Upton, Thomas Haynes (1889–1956)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/upton-thomas-haynes-11902/text21319, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 13 June 2020.
  33. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924-1954. . . New South Wales, Australia . 15 April 1955 . 13 June 2020 . 1011 . Trove .
  34. Ross Curnow, 'Goodsell, Sir John William (Jack) (1906–1981)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/goodsell-sir-john-william-jack-12553/text22597, published first in hardcopy 2007, accessed online 13 June 2020.
  35. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924-1954 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 8 April 1960 . 13 June 2020 . 1028 . Trove .
  36. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924-1954 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 23 September 1960 . 13 June 2020 . 2997 . Trove .
  37. Jack Watson, 'Haviland, Stanley (1899–1972)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/haviland-stanley-10455/text18543, published first in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 13 June 2020.
  38. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924-1964 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 3 September 1965 . 13 June 2020 . 2822 . Trove .
  39. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia . 28 July 1972 . 13 June 2020 . 2998 . Trove .
  40. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 7 September 1979 . 13 June 2020 . 4382 . Trove .
  41. Web site: Edwin James Walder BEc (Hons) . The NSW Budget 2019-2020 . NSW Government . 13 June 2020.
  42. News: METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 11 September 1981 . 13 June 2020 . 4811 . Trove .
  43. News: APPOINTMENTS . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales . New South Wales, Australia . 23 October 1987 . 22 June 2020 . 5949 . Trove .
  44. Web site: The Sydney WaterCustomer Information and Billing System . The Australia and New Zealand School of Government . 21 June 2020 . 2006.
  45. Acting to 21 November 1997.
  46. Acting to 1 September 1998.
  47. Web site: MR ALEX WALKER MANAGING DIRECTOR . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 21 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010210035957/http://www.sydneywater.com.au:80/html/About_us/alex_walker.htm . 10 February 2001.
  48. News: STATE OWNED CORPORATIONS ACT 1989 - Appointment . 21 June 2020 . NSW Government Gazette . 93 . 30 May 2003 . 4953.
  49. News: AAP . Shock sacking of Sydney Water chief: new man flagged . 21 June 2020 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 27 February 2004.
  50. News: Cavalier style led to water chief's fall . 21 June 2020 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 28 February 2004.
  51. News: ICAC clears ex-Sydney Water manager . 21 June 2020 . ABC News . 13 October 2004.
  52. Acting to 1 April 2004.
  53. News: STATE OWNED CORPORATIONS ACT 1989 - Appointment . 21 June 2020 . NSW Government Gazette . 104 . 25 June 2004 . 4681.
  54. News: STATE OWNED CORPORATIONS ACT 1989 - Appointment . 21 June 2020 . NSW Government Gazette . 93 . 21 July 2006. 5757.
  55. News: Hyland . Anne . Kerry Schott – heard around the world . 21 June 2020 . Australian Financial Review . 21 June 2014.
  56. News: Whitbourn . Michaela . McClymont . Kate . Phillip Costa tells ICAC that Kerry Schott was 'nothing short of excellent' despite Obeid request to 'sack the bitch' . 21 June 2020 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 8 April 2014.
  57. Web site: Board of directors - Kevin Young (Managing Director) - B Eng (Hons), MBA, FIE Aust, CPENG, FAICD . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 21 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111011084032/http://sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/BoardOfDirectorsAndExecutive/ . 11 October 2011.
  58. News: Sydney Water's new Managing Director is off to a great start . 21 June 2020 . Sydney Water Corporation . 2 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117034229/http://sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/MediaCentre/MediaView.cfm?ID=746 . 17 November 2011 . Media Release.
  59. News: Sydney Water Chief Executive Officer announced . 21 June 2020 . Sydney Water Corporation . 30 May 2019 . Media Release.
  60. News: Sydney Water announces new CEO . 21 June 2020 . Water Source . . 30 May 2019.
  61. Web site: Executive team > Roch Cheroux - Managing Director . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 21 June 2020.
  62. News: WATER BOARD ACT 1987 . Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia . 21 October 1988 . 22 June 2020 . 5489 . Trove .
  63. News: Water Board 'fiddle' denied . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 February 1993 . 22 June 2020 . 15 . Trove .
  64. News: Water Board overhaul . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 September 1994 . 22 June 2020 . 6 . Trove .
  65. Web site: McClellan . Peter . Sydney Water Inquiry - Fourth Report: Prospect Water Filtration Plant tender process and contract arrangements . New South Wales Premier's Department . 21 June 2020 . December 1998.
  66. Web site: Board of Directors - MRS GABRIELLE KIBBLE AO (Chairman) - BA, DipTCP, FRAPI, D Sc Hc UNSW . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 21 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060822075416/http://www.sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/BoardOfDirectorsAndExecutive/ . 22 August 2006.
  67. Web site: Board of directors - Dr Thomas G Parry AM (Chairman) - BEc (Hons), MEc, PhD . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 21 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111011084032/http://sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/BoardOfDirectorsAndExecutive/ . 11 October 2011.
  68. Web site: Board members - Bruce Morgan - Chairman BComm, FCA, FAICD, Adjunct Professor University of New South Wales . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation. https://web.archive.org/web/20200623013754/https://www.sydneywater.com.au/SW/about-us/our-people/who-we-are/board-members/index.htm. 23 June 2020 . 21 June 2020.
  69. Web site: Board Members – Grant King – Chairman — BE (Civil), M (Mtg), FAICD, Professor University of New South Wales . Sydney Water . Sydney Water Corporation . 17 March 2022.
  70. News: Shepherd . April . Sydney Water reveals new chairman . 17 March 2022 . Utility Magazine . 17 September 2021.

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