Schedule of charges 2014/2015 Irrigation Season (Moira Private Irrigation District)

Overview

The Charges for Water Use (Schedule of Charges) Determination 2014 was enacted by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority under the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Act 2008. This determination was introduced to set out the charges for the use of water in the Murray-Darling Basin for the 2014/2015 irrigation season. The policy objective of this determination is to ensure the efficient and sustainable use of water resources in the Basin, reflecting the cost of administering water rights and infrastructure, as well as the environmental and social costs associated with water use. The charges are intended to cover operating costs, connection fees, and the costs of measuring devices, among other expenses, ensuring that users contribute to the ongoing management and conservation efforts within the Basin.

Scope and Application

The Schedule of Charges for the 2014/2015 Irrigation Season applies to entities involved in water management and distribution within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes individuals, companies, and other legal entities that have water delivery rights and those who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure. The charges cover a range of activities, including administrative costs, electricity connection charges, and fees related to the delivery and transformation of water. The legislation encompasses fixed and variable charges, with the fixed charges including amounts for operating costs, delivery rights for introduced water, and works charges for measuring devices. Variable charges consist of MPID delivery fees, government charges, transformation charges, and termination fees. The scope of this Act is national, applying to all water users and service providers across Australia, and it extends to the management of both permanent and introduced water. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that the charges apply broadly to all entities involved in water transactions. The application and interpretation of these charges may be further defined through subordinate instruments, which could include regulations or guidelines issued under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

Section 2 of the Schedule of Charges 2014/2015 Irrigation Season outlines the fixed charges applicable to the irrigation season. These fixed charges include the administration costs, which amount to $13.80 million, and an electricity connection charge of $1.20 million, bringing the total to $15.00 million. Additionally, there is a Delivery Rights charge for introduced water, which is a significant $118.00 million for permanent water. For stock and domestic access, the charge is set at $300.00 per annum. Works charges are also specified, with small measuring devices costing $2,500.00 and large measuring devices costing $4,000.00. The obligations under this Act primarily revolve around the payment of the outlined charges. Users of the irrigation system are required to settle the fixed charges, which include administration and connection fees, as well as the Delivery Rights charge for introduced water. Furthermore, they must also bear the costs associated with the installation and maintenance of measuring devices. These obligations ensure that the operational costs of the irrigation system are adequately covered. Failure to comply with the payment requirements stipulated in this Act can lead to various consequences. For instance, Section 5 details the offences related to non-payment of the specified charges. The Act outlines potential penalties, including civil and criminal sanctions, which may be imposed on entities or individuals who fail to meet their financial obligations. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they may include fines, legal action, or other enforcement measures to ensure compliance.