By July 2010, Sydney Water must have in place and comply with a customer hardship policy that helps residential customers in financial difficulty to manage their bills.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) last year began reviewing the Sydney Water operating licence and customer contract.
Recognising the operating licence and customer contract as fundamental elements of the regulatory framework that safeguards access to water for Sydney households, PIAC prepared a submission to the review. In its submission, PIAC argued that any new operating licence must oblige Sydney Water to develop a hardship policy to help customers who are experiencing difficulties paying their bills.
The new Sydney Water Operating Licence was recently tabled in NSW Parliament. By July 2010, Sydney Water must have in place and comply with a customer hardship policy that helps residential customers in financial difficulty to manage their bills. PIAC looks forward to working with Sydney Water to ensure the hardship policy best serves Sydney Water customers.
For a copy of the PIAC submission on the new Sydney Water Operating Licence, please visit the publications section of this website.
Photo: Flickr/recoverling