This ABC online news item from Perth caught my eye, “Water prices up 40 per cent: Labor”. With Eric Ripper the Labor opposition leader saying, “Of course in a dry climate there is pressure on water prices..”
Wrong Mr Ripper, there is no “dry climate” over Perth dam catchments – see my graphic of 35 years of May-October catchments rain which averages near 900mm. Any water shortage in Perth is artificially induced by Govts failure to do simple things such as – manage catchments – clearing the Gnangara pines – cheaply desalinate weakly brackish water wasted from Wellington Dam and other local rivers (see my 2007 downloadable report). The only reason for this crazy state of affairs that I can see – is the Govts terror of hostile reactions from Greens.

Water prices up 40 per cent: Labor

Posted 20 June 2010
Labor claims WA households should brace for a further hike in the price of water. (ABC Local: SK)

The State Opposition Leader Eric Ripper says Western Australians are set to be hit with steep increases in water prices for the third year in a row.

Mr Ripper says the government’s budget estimate papers show water prices are set to rise by more than eight per cent next year.

He says the hike will mean water prices will have increased by more than 40 per cent, or $160 a year for the average household in three years.

“Of course in a dry climate there is pressure on water prices and I think extravagant users of water should pay the price, but water is also a basic utility for every family and there should be protection for that basic amount of water that everyone needs to use,” he said.

The Minister for Water Resources, Graham Jacobs has been contacted for comment.