Mayor Gordon Lewis headed a delegation to Sydney this week to argue Wingecarribee Shire Council’s case for retaining ownership and control of water and sewer services.

General manager Mike Hyde, director of technical services Michael Brearley, manager of water and sewerage Selva Selvaratnam and sewerage projects co-ordinator Mark Williams joined Cr Lewis to make council’s submission to the inquiry into water and sewerage provision in regional New South Wales.

The Department of Water and Energy inquiry is looking at the most appropriate institutional and regulatory arrangement for water supply and sewerage in regional towns. NSW councils fear this could involve the State Government or a private body taking control of water and sewer services and council infrastructure.

Cr Lewis told the inquiry that while Wingecarribee Shire Council acknowledged the need for the NSW Water Utilities Inquiry, his council’s operations were in very good shape and the council would like them to continue in the present form.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, May 26