12 June 2001

Following is an extract from our letter to the Premier:

"Far from being a relic, the RWCC is a good example of government and industry collaboration for the purpose of producing necessary industry documents such as the RWCC's 1993 Guidelines for Urban and Residential Use of Reclaimed Water. These are the only NSW guidelines published since 1987 and a revised edition of that document is now needed. As confirmed in the Department of Land and Water Conservation's letter of 7 March 2001 advising members of the disbanding, the RWCC has been a major influence behind the state of NSW being a leader in recycling within Australia. The RWCC has worked hard to promote water reuse, develop necessary guidelines, coordinate R&D by NSW agencies and foster ongoing knowledge transfer.

The Water Directorate believes there is an ever-increasing need for the RWCC and its disbanding is seen as a backward step. The Water CEOs' decision to disband the RWCC leaves all industry stakeholders including NSW local government without a forum to address and have input into water recycling issues.

The Water Directorate endorses the AWA's offer to host discussions with stakeholders for the purpose of establishing mechanisms which put water recycling in NSW on a satisfactory footing. Like the AWA, the Water Directorate would also welcome your intervention to direct the necessary actions and commitment to retain the RWCC.

The Water Directorate acknowledges the formation of an inter departmental committee but welcomes your advice on how all stakeholders can have an input, how the Government intends to continue the objectives established for the RWCC and how the Government intends to keep NSW as a leader in water recycling in Australia."

The Water Directorate was represented on the RWCC by Carmel Krogh, previously Sewer Manager at Hastings Council, and until recently an Executive Committee member on the Water Directorate.

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