STATE WATER SERVICES, FORBES
Page: 8325
Mrs DAWN FARDELL: My question is to the Minister for Water Utilities. I have been advised by the mayor of Forbes that State Water will be closing its services in Forbes, forcing users to travel to Dubbo or Deniliquin. Will the Minister confirm that State Water will continue to maintain its presence and remain in Forbes?
Mr NATHAN REES: I thank the member for her question and her tireless advocacy for the people of Forbes and those communities.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Bathurst to order. Members will cease interjecting.
Mr NATHAN REES: I thought this might be of some interest to Nationals members. As members will know, I am the portfolio Minister for the State-owned corporation State Water and it would not be appropriate for me to interfere with its commercial operations. However, this issue was raised at the Shires Association conference yesterday and I can assure the member that State Water will maintain a presence in Forbes.