The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued its first ACCC water monitoring update.
"The update provides an early view of the effects of recent water reform," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said. "The ACCC has been actively involved in facilitating the implementation of new water rules and in providing information and guidelines about their impact."
The update indicates that irrigation infrastructure operators have generally adjusted their practices and policies in response to the water market rules and water charge (termination fees) rules. However the ACCC has conducted investigations into conduct which may constitute breaches of the rules.
"The ACCC's compliance and monitoring activities have identified some breaches of the new water rules," Mr Samuel said. "The ACCC has responded to those concerns by investigating and taking enforcement action."
The ACCC is in the process of further developing its monitoring framework under the Water Act 2007. The ACCC has issued information requests to a number of reporting entities to obtain information concerning regulated water charges, transformation and rule compliance. This information will be used as part of a comprehensive monitoring report for 2009 10 that will be provided to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities by March 2011.