More information about Local Water Done Well

The Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.... establishes the Local Water Done Well framework and the preliminary arrangements for the new water services system.

The legislation was enacted on 2 September 2024.

The Bill lays the foundation for a new approach to water services management and financially sustainable delivery models that meet regulatory standards.

The Bill requires Councils to develop Water Services Delivery Plans by 3 September 2025.

Relevant legislation can be found here. 

Water Services Delivery Plans

Water Services Delivery Plans demonstrate councils’ commitment to deliver water services that:

• meet regulatory requirements
• support growth and urban development
• are financially sustainable

Through Water Services Delivery Plans, councils provide an assessment of their water infrastructure, how much they need to invest, and how they plan to finance and deliver it through their preferred water service delivery model.

Councils are required to prepare Water Services Delivery Plans by 3 September 2025.

The Water Services Delivery Plans…

• must include detailed information about water services operations, assets, revenue, expenditure, future capital expenditure, and how each council plans to finance and deliver their preferred model
• must demonstrate how the water services will be financially sustainable* by June 2028
• are for a minimum ten-year timeframe but can be up to 30 years

*Financial sustainability means water services revenue is sufficient to meet the costs of delivering water services.

Water Services Delivery Plans are a one-off, transitional requirement under the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024.