Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton claims that IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) have conceded that farmers are important and have backed down on their proposed water rate hikes with a substantial reduction in what farmers will pay for water. 

“This issue has been cause for concern for primary producers for some time,” Ms. Dalton said. “IPART'S proposed exorbitant price increases would have priced farmers out of business and Aussie food off our shelves.” 

The Member for Murray said she has been a fierce advocate for opposing these rate hikes, holding meetings with Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Water Rose Jackson and consulting with numerous stakeholder organisations. 

“It goes to show that if you are persistent, great outcomes can be achieved,” Ms. Dalton said. 

“It’s not just meetings, I used Private Members Statements in parliament to implore IPART to reassess their water bill prices and the government to act, and it seems they listened.

“They have acted in the best interests of rural and regional NSW and I consider that a massive win for everyone,” Ms Dalton added. 

“Although there will still be water rate increases, at least they won’t be 3% - 35% every year. IPART’S draft WaterNSW pricing determination proposes only a 1.9 percent in rural water bills in 2025 26 plus CPI, followed by CPI increases only in each of the following two years.” 

Next on the Member for Murray’s agenda is a face-to-face meeting with the newly elected Federal Water Minister Murray Watt to resolve problems in the Murray Darling Basin and sensible solutions to water buybacks. 

“I am offering Minister Watt the opportunity that the former Minister for Water Tanya Plibersek repeatedly declined,” Mrs. Dalton said. 

“The opportunity to visit us in the Southern Basin, listen to our needs and see first-hand what we do here.”