The Queensland Government has passed legislation that will give council-owned water businesses in the state’s south east the same flexibility to manage staff in the same way as any other employer.

 

State Minister for Water Supply Mark McArdle said the passage of the South East Queensland Water (Distribution Retail and restructuring) Amendment Bill would give UnityWater, Queensland Urban Utilities, the Gold Coast City, Redland and Logan Councils greater freedom to manage their water businesses.

 

“These measures will let SEQ water businesses examine appropriate costs for running their operations and identify and deliver savings,” Mr McArdle said. 


“This will equip water businesses with a greater capacity to tackle rising water prices and reduce water bills for Queenslanders in the south-east corner.” 


Mr McArdle said the amended legislation ensured staff working for the water businesses were still assured of established employee protections contained in the current Enterprise Bargaining arrangements. 


“The amendment strikes a balance between the terms of the 2009 and 2012 Workforce Frameworks and the employment conditions of other council employees, and the need to reduce the cost of living for all residents of south-east Queensland,” he said.