Hobart rejects state TasWater takeover

THE Hobart City Council will provide a submission to the Legislative Council rejecting the State Government’s plan to take over TasWater.

The Government’s draft legislation to control the water and sewerage utility will pass through a Legislative Council inquiry, with submissions open until Friday, before public hearings on September 13 and 14.

The draft legislation was tabled in State Parliament in August, and will be further considered by the House of Assembly this month.

In March, Hobart resolved to reject the State Government’s proposed takeover.

And at last night’s meeting, aldermen voted seven to two to provide a submission to the inquiry’s select committee reflecting its March resolution.

The council’s submission will provide local context and focus on the effect of the Government’s proposed takeover to Hobart and its ratepayers.

It will also address its view on the potential loss of TasWater dividends, which the draft legislation preserves until 2024-25.

Only Mayor Sue Hickey and Alderman Jeff Briscoe voted against the resolution.

Ald Hickey said she strongly disagreed with the decision by council.

Local Government Association President Doug Chipman has said the takeover did not make sense.