Water pricing reform, drought and the community [New South Wales]
1995
Day, D. | Read, R. (New South Wales Dept. of Water Resources, Parramatta (Australia))
In 1982 the Hunter District Water Board, who provided water and sewer services to 400,000 people in Newcastle and the Lower Hunter New South Wales, introduced a two-tiered user-pays tariff for domestic water consumers. The new policy was introduced 'overnight' in a major drought and without public consultation. It created public uproar and stood in the midst of major organisational change. Unique factors allowing the scheme to survive included a highly favourable political climate, radical management prepared to take risks, a severe drought and no prior public consultation. Some of the lessons learned from policy shifts and implementation processes in this case have wider application to organisations fearful of community involvement. However, particular local conditions and the current importance of community involvement may mean this was a unique experiment.
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