Sydney Water

Sydney Water, formally, Sydney Water Corporation, is a New South Wales Government–owned 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.

Sydney Water
Sydney Water logo
State-owned statutory corporation overview
Formed1 July 1995
DissolvedWater Board
JurisdictionGreater Metropolitan Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains
Headquarters1 Smith Street, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Minister responsible
State-owned statutory corporation executives
  • Roch Cheroux, Managing Director
  • Grant King, Chairman
Parent State-owned statutory corporationGovernment of New South Wales
Websitewww.sydneywater.com.au

History

The origins of Sydney Water go back to 26 March 1888 when the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Amendment Act, 1888[1] was enacted and repealed certain sections of the Sydney Corporation Act, 1879[2] relating to water supply and sewerage, thereby transferring the property, powers and obligations from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.[3]

During 2023 New South Wales state election, confidential documents from KPMG and Clayton Utz consultants regarding the privatisation of Sydney Water were made public. 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.[4] During and after the election NSW Labor pledged to enshrine government ownership of Sydney Water in the NSW state constitution.[5][6] a similar move that the Victorian government was doing with VEC.

Name changes

The forebears of Sydney Water include:

  • Board of Water Supply and Sewerage (1888–1892)[3]
  • Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage (1892–1925)[3]
  • Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board (1925–1987)[7]
  • Water Board (1987–1994)[7] which had also been the colloquial name for the organisation for much of its history in the 20th century, and persists among longer term employees and older members of the community to this day
A sign authorised by Sydney Water (Prospect Nature Reserve)

Water supply management
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.[9] 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.[10]

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 decentralized greywater recycling system producer Hydraloop for reducing water use.[11][12]

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)

  • All hoses must now have a trigger nozzle.
  • Handheld hoses, sprinklers, and watering systems may be used only before 10 am and after 4 pm on any day – to avoid the heat of the day
  • No hosing of hard surfaces such as paths and driveways (spot cleaning hazards allowed). Washing vehicles is allowed.
  • Fire hoses may be used for fire fighting activities only.

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.[13]

Headquarters and influence
Part of the art deco façade of the former Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board Building

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 Sydney's 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.[14] 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.[15] 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[16] These offices were traditionally dealing with customer queries, but saw a drop in use as customers started paying their bills via the internet[17]

Desalination

In early 2010 operations of the Sydney Desalination Plant began;[18] with a licence granted to Veolia Water Australia Pty Ltd to operate the plant and supply Sydney Water with drinking water. In 2012, the NSW Government entered into a 50–year lease with Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Ltd (DSP), a company jointly owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (50%) and two funds managed by Hastings Funds Management Limited: Utilities Trust of Australia and The Infrastructure Fund (together 50%).[19] The terms of the A$2.3 billion lease lock Sydney Water into a 50–year water supply agreement with DSP.[20]

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.[21]

Presidents, 1888–1987
# President Term Notes
Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
1 Thomas Rowe 26 March 1888 – 24 March 1892 [22]
Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage
2 Cecil West Darley 24 March 1892 – 20 March 1896 [23][24]
– Thomas Rowe 20 March 1896 – 14 January 1899 [25]
3 Jacob Garrard 24 January 1899 – 22 March 1904 [26]
4 Thomas William Keele 22 March 1904 – 22 March 1908 [27][28]
5 William James Millner 22 March 1908 – 31 March 1925 [29][30]
Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board
6 Thomas Bryce Cooper 31 March 1925 – 30 April 1935 [31]
7 Thomas Haynes Upton 30 April 1935 – 15 April 1955 [32][33][34][35]
8 John William Goodsell 15 April 1955 – 23 September 1960 [36][37][38]
9 Stanley Haviland 23 September 1960 – 22 September 1965 [39][40]
10 Edwin James Walder 22 September 1965 – 15 October 1981 [41][42][43][44]
11 Eric George Warrell 15 October 1981 – 16 June 1987 [45]

Managing Directors, 1987–date
# Managing Director Term Notes
Water Board
1 Robert Ernest Wilson 23 October 1987 – 2 April 1993 [46][47]
2 Paul Anthony Broad 5 April 1993 – 31 December 1994 [47]
Sydney Water Corporation
– Paul Anthony Broad 1 January 1995 – 29 September 1997 [48]
3 Christopher Pollett 29 September 1997 – 19 August 1998[49] [48]
4 Warren Hart 19 August 1998 – 16 November 1998[50] [48]
5 Alex Walker 16 November 1998 – 30 November 2002 [48][51]
– Ron Quill (Acting) 30 November 2002 – 26 May 2003 [48]
6 Gregory Francis Robinson 26 May 2003 – 26 February 2004 [52][53][54][55]
7 William David Evans 27 February 2004 – 1 August 2006[56] [53][57]
8 Kerry Schott 2 August 2006 – 1 August 2011 [58][59][60]
9 Kevin Young 1 August 2011 – 31 July 2019 [61][62][63]
10 Roch Cheroux 2 September 2019 – date [64][65]

Chairs, 1987–date
# Chairman Term Notes
Water Board
1 David Anthony Harley 19 October 1988 – 15 September 1992 [66][67][47]
2 John McMurtrie February 1993 – 31 December 1994 [68][47]
Sydney Water Corporation
– John McMurtrie 1 January 1995 – 21 November 1997 [48]
3 David Hill 21 November 1997 – August 1998 [48]
4 Gabrielle Kibble August 1998 – 31 May 2007 [69]
5 Thomas Gregory Parry 1 June 2007 – 30 September 2013 [70]
6 Bruce Morgan 1 October 2013 – 30 September 2021 [71]
7 Grant King 1 October 2021 – present [72][73]

References
  1. Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Amendment Act, 1888 (NSW)
  2. Sydney Corporation Act, 1879 (NSW)
  3. "Agency Profile of the Board of Water Supply and Sewerage". State Records Authority of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  4. https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/confidential-documents-show-plan-for-sydney-water-to-partprivatise-new-plant/news-story/7b529b3b2df1553b368fb0827d4d6d42
  5. https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/back-door-fire-sale-labor-leader-chris-minns-dire-warning-as-privatisation-row-fires-up/news-story/eaff40be7fee59f6f85c9a26da037172
  6. "Perrottet promises to cap Opal card costs as Minns makes move to stop Sydney Water sale". ABC News. 19 March 2023.
  7. "Agency Profile of the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board". State Records Authority of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  8. "Agency Profile of the Sydney Water Corporation Limited". State Records Authority of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  9. Stein, P. L. (2000). "The Great Sydney Water crisis of 1998". Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. SpringerLink – The Netherlands. 123: 419–436. Bibcode:2000WASP..123..419S. doi:10.1023/A:1005255202854. S2CID 91943135.
  10. Francis, Geoff; Hicks, Peter (16 September 1998). "David Hill: from Giardia to Labor MP?". Green Left Weekly. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  11. O'Mahony, Ciaran (25 August 2022). "Sydney Water pilots award-winning water recycling system". Utility Magazine. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  12. Edwards, Chris (28 August 2022). "Sydney Water trialing Hydraloop to reduce water use". Inside Water. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  13. "Water restrictions". Sydney Water.
  14. "Our corporate head office". Archived from the original on 11 February 2010.
  15. "Sydney Water Corporate Headquarters, Parramatta". Multiplex.
  16. Barrymore, Karina (25 November 2004). "18pc surge in clearance rates". The Australian Financial Review. p. 54.
  17. COGNO, LUISA (2 June 2004). "Water works shut". The Blacktown Advocate. p. 5.
  18. "Sydney's desal plant switched on". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  19. "Ownership Structure". About. Sydney Desalination Plant Pty Ltd. 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  20. "NSW signs $2.3b desalination plant deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Reuters. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
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  24. "1 photograph : b&w ; 24 x 18.5 cm. on mount 35.4 x 28.1 cm.", Portrait of Cecil West Darley, c. 1880, nla.obj-137234627, retrieved 13 June 2020 – via Trove
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  27. "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. p. 2464. Retrieved 13 June 2020 – via Trove.
  28. "NOTED ENGINEER". The Sydney Morning Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 20 June 1927. p. 14. Retrieved 13 June 2020 – via Trove.
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  37. 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.
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  42. "METROPOLITAN WATER, SEWERAGE, AND DRAINAGE ACT, 1924". Government Gazette Of The State Of New South Wales. New South Wales, Australia. 28 July 1972. p. 2998. Retrieved 13 June 2020 – via Trove.
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  49. Acting to 21 November 1997.
  50. Acting to 1 September 1998.
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  56. Acting to 1 April 2004.
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  63. "Sydney Water Chief Executive Officer announced" (Media Release). Sydney Water Corporation. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
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