New South Wales Government
Water and Energy

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    • Strategic planning
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4. Planning and best practice

Urban Water

Strategic and financial planning and best practice

The community and governments are demanding increased accountability and increased levels of service and efficiency. In addition, regulatory authorities are imposing more stringent environmental and health regulations.

In order to deliver water supply and sewerage services addressing these issues in non-metropolitan NSW, it is important that local water utilities prepare and implement sound Strategic Business Plans in accordance with the Best Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Guidelines (PDF 767KB). A strategic business plan is a local water utility's principal planning tool for its water supply and sewerage businesses.

The Plans detail the levels of customer service to be provided and the management of assets and resources required to achieve those levels of service. As a part of the planning process, it is important that robust financial planning and asset management planning be undertaken and included in the Plan. The financial plan must disclose the level of typical residential bills required for meeting the target levels of service.

The Department of Water and Energy assists local water utilities to prepare and implement appropriate asset management plans and financial plans to efficiently deliver their water supply and sewerage services.