WaterNSW business transformation

To put the size of the challenge in numbers, we now need to find a further $80 million each year in cost savings.

We have already deferred $860 million of capital works and cut $133 million in operational costs from our business over the forward five year period, but we need to take these additional steps to create future financial sustainability for our business, our customers and our communities.

We are performing a fundamental reset of WaterNSW, becoming a leaner, smaller and more focused business, with formal consultation on planned changes commencing today.

We are transforming our business by resetting our priorities, re-focusing on our core purpose, simplifying how we operate, and ensuring we are set up to deliver on our legal and statutory obligations.

We will work hard to limit customer impacts throughout this period of transition – however, given the size of the funding gap, we may be unable to continue delivering our current functions, activities and projects in the same way.

Unfortunately, some staff will be impacted as part of this process. We are reducing the number of executives and senior managers by greater than 30%, and we will reduce our total workforce by approximately 300 employees, commencing with a voluntary redundancy process. Despite this, WaterNSW will continue to have hundreds of expert employees based across regional NSW and Greater Sydney, where we are committed to retaining a strong local presence.

WaterNSW has been communicating with all employees about the need for transition for several months and has commenced a formal consultation process on the proposed changes. We remain committed to supporting affected employees, including providing access to wellbeing services and other assistance as needed.

This transformation will ensure WaterNSW can continue to deliver water when and where it matters.