Onkaparinga residents say council is out of touch with the current climate after inquiry into water deal emerges

Onkaparinga Council is considering selling off its waste and recycled water services once again, but residents say this is the last thing they need in the current climate.

Onkaparinga residents are fighting to keep their water from being privatised as the controversy once again rears its ugly head.

More than 700 residents have signed a petition condemning the current proposal that could potentially see Onkaparinga Council sell off their Community Wastewater Management System and water business.

Local resident and head petioner Don Chapman said the out-of-date proposal fails to take into consideration climate change and the heightened cost of living.

Don Chapman is one of 700 Onkaparinga residents fighting to stop the privatisation of water. Pic: Supplied

“We are mind boggled as to why council are continuing to go down this road,” he said.

“We’ve been told that there will be not cost rises for the next five years … but what about after that?

“We’re living here for a lifetime so to many of us, five years is a very short look into the future.”

Since 2018, Onkaparinga Council has been toying with the idea to either sell off their Community Waste Water Scheme (CWMS) or to find a different management model and continue council ownership.

The CWMS disposes wastewater from about 4500 households and businesses in Willunga, McLaren Vale, McLaren Flat, Clarendon, Maslin Beach, Morphett Vale and Sellicks Beach.

Some of the sewage is treated at wastewater treatment plants the council owns at Sellicks Beach and Willunga, before being disposed to the Willunga Basin Water Company for reuse.

Sewage collected in Morphett Vale, Clarendon and Maslin Beach is deposited directly into the SA Water sewer system.

When council first explored their options four years ago, 82 per cent of the 496 people who responded to community consultation on the possible sale were against it.

After a council meeting in June, a community survey was opened up again to residents of the area seeking their feedback.

Julia Grant, The City of Onkaparinga CEO. Picture: The City of Onkaparinga

Acting CEO Julia Grant said council welcomed the community feedback and would look at all possible options.

“Divestment does not necessarily mean the sale of these assets — it could mean sale, lease, joint or part ownership, joint or part operation, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the offers presented,” she said.

“Whether retained by council or divested, both the stormwater recycling Water Business Unit (WBU) and CWMS assets will require significant capital investment in the future.

“If council retains the assets, this would need to be funded via a combination of rates and debt.”

The consultation will return to council in August.