A recently-released state water inquiry report has given Coorong livestock producers hope they may finally see some reprieve from crippling SA Water prices.
Coorong Water Security Advisory Group chair Henry Angas says the group is not surprised by the A Cautious Conclusion preliminary findings, estimating with inflation the price of water should be $1.49 a kilolitre not $3.36/kL.
“SA Water is owned by the state government and this report shows that it has used this monopoly to give livestock businesses no choice but to pay inflated costs for water to continue production,” he said. “If SA Water was a privately-owned organisation, it would be subject to government scrutiny and possibly Australian Competition & Consumer Commission action.”
Many farmers have invested in on-farm infrastructure such as desalination plants, but Mr Angas wants to see government assistance packages available to help others, similar to those offered for solar and electric batteries.
“All the SA Water used by Coorong farmers comes from the River Murray, so for not a lot of money we could make significant cost savings and have more water for environmental flows,” he said.
The group is hoping there may be some action when the inquiry’s final report is handed down in June.
“Everyone from the Premier to the Minister to other cabinet ministers and local elected members have all said they would do something, so the ball is in their court,” Mr Angas said.
