Schedule of charges 2013/2014 Irrigation Season (Moira Private Irrigation District)

Overview

The Schedule of Charges 2013/2014 Irrigation Season is a legislative instrument issued under the Irrigators (Water Supply) Act 1994. This Act was enacted to provide a framework for the management and distribution of water resources for irrigation purposes within Australia, addressing the need for equitable and sustainable water use. The charges outlined in this schedule are designed to cover the operating costs of water management and distribution, including administrative costs, connection fees, and charges for the delivery and measurement of water. The policy objective of the Act is to ensure the efficient and fair allocation of water resources, supporting both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. The charges are set to reflect the financial requirements of maintaining and operating the water infrastructure, ensuring that water users contribute to the costs associated with their usage.

Scope and Application

The Schedule of Charges 2013/2014 Irrigation Season Act applies to entities and individuals involved in the irrigation industry within the specified season, particularly those holding delivery rights for introduced water and permanent water. This legislation outlines the fixed and variable charges applicable to the operation of irrigation systems, including costs associated with administration, electricity connection, government water access, delivery rights, and transformation charges. The charges are applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, covering all entities operating under the water access schemes for the specified season. The fixed charges include a one-off Delivery Rights Charge for Introduced Water and a Termination Fee, while the variable charges incorporate MPID delivery fees and government usage charges. Notably, the Government Carbon Tax charge is to be advised. The scope of the Act is comprehensive, encompassing all relevant transactions and conduct within the irrigation sector for the season specified, with no stated exclusions or exemptions. The application of these charges is further detailed through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional clarification or adjustments to the charges outlined.

Key Provisions

The legislation sets out various charges for the 2013/2014 irrigation season, encompassing both fixed and variable charges, as well as transformation charges. Fixed charges include an administration cost of $12.30 million, an electricity connection charge of $1.20 million, and a Government Water Access Charge of $1.50 million, summing to a total of $15.00 million (Schedule). For delivery rights, there is a charge of $118.40 million for permanent water and $300.00 per annum for stock and domestic access (Schedule). Works charges for small and large measuring devices are $2,500.00 and $4,000.00 respectively (Schedule). Variable charges include a MPID delivery fee of $20.00 million and a government usage charge of $7.00 million, totalling $27.00 million (Schedule). The Government Carbon Tax charge is yet to be advised (Schedule). Transformation charges include an administration fee of $300.00, a disconnection charge of $250.00, and a termination fee of $11.84 per million over 10 years, amounting to $118.40 per million (Schedule). The Government Access Charge is not included in termination fee calculations, and the Delivery Rights Charge for Introduced Water is a one-off charge in the season it is introduced. The Carbon Tax Levy will be passed on to members at the same rate as MPID is billed by Energy Australia (Schedule). The obligations imposed by this legislation include the payment of fixed and variable charges, as well as transformation charges. The parties or entities governed by this legislation must pay the administration, electricity connection, and Government Water Access Charges, as well as the Delivery Rights Charge for Introduced Water and the stock and domestic access charge. Works charges must be paid for small and large measuring devices. Additionally, variable charges such as the MPID delivery fee and government usage charge must be paid. The Government Carbon Tax charge is yet to be advised, and the transformation charges, including the administration fee, disconnection charge, and termination fee, must also be paid. The Government Access Charge is not included in termination fee calculations, and the Delivery Rights Charge for Introduced Water is a one-off charge in the season it is introduced. The Carbon Tax Levy will be passed on to members at the same rate as MPID is billed by Energy Australia (Schedule). Breach of this legislation may result in civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of similar legislation typically incur fines and potential legal action. The maximum penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any relevant case law or subsequent legislative amendments. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for breach, but it is implied that failure to comply with the payment of charges could lead to legal action and associated costs (Schedule).