Sydney households begin paying for Rees' desal folly

Dr Kaye said: "Starting today, average Sydney Water bills are set to rise by $245 over the next four years.
 
"For every dollar of that increase 42 cents will go to pay for the desalination plant.
 
"Less than 8 cents in the dollar will be spent on water recycling projects.
 
"The Rees government is forcing Sydney residents to pay for a desalination plant they don't want and they don't need.
 
"Every time a water bill is paid, the desalination owners and operators will get richer and households will be poorer.
 
"With less than 8 percent of the price rise going to recycling, the Rees government's water planning is clearly pointing in the wrong direction.
 
"Desalination is energy intensive and expensive.
 
"The Iemma government panicked in the lead up to the 2007 election and committed the state to this white elephant.
 
"As Water Minister Nathan Rees pushed on despite expert advice warning desalination was not needed and public opinion wanting cheaper and cleaner options.
 
"Now Sydney, Illawarra and Blue Mountains households are starting to pay for his expensive mistake," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455