Water Minister Ian Hunter refusing legislative change for SA Water to compensate for burst water main damages

WATER Minister Ian Hunter has refused to support a push to change legislation so homeowners can directly claim compensation from SA Water if a burst water main damages property.

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WATER Minister Ian Hunter has refused to support a push to change legislation so homeowners can directly claim compensation from SA Water if a burst water main damages property.

Family First MP Rob Brokenshire will on Thursday ask Mr Hunter to support a Bill to change the Water Industry Act, which requires claimants to prove negligence against SA Water to get compensation for damages.

Residents of Paradise, Campbelltown and Newton face huge clean up costs after two SA Water mains — one installed in 1913 the other in 1939 — burst in four places on Monday, sending a torrent of putrid, muddy water cascading into their homes.

Minister Hunter advised residents at Willow Drive, Paradise, where about six homes and two cars were flooded, to claim damages on their insurance policy.

On Wednesday, he rejected suggestions to change the Act.

Asked if he would support Mr Brokenshire’s call for legislation change, Mr Hunter said: “No, I won’t”.

Cars submerged on Willow Drive, Paradise, after the flooding. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“Mr Brokenshire is in a privileged position, he’s a member of Parliament and he can move whatever he likes and Parliament will deal with that,’’ Mr Hunter said.

“Householders are responsible for taking out house and contents insurance, we all do that.’’

SA Water on Wednesday pledged to reimburse excess fees on insurance policies and some “out of pocket’’ expenses for those who lost property in the flood.

Mr Brokenshire said if Mr Hunter won’t act, he will introduce a Private Member’s Bill so Parliament can debate the current legislation “because it’s unfair’’.

“I’m advised that unless SA Water is negligent it doesn’t have any primary responsibility for the victims,’’ Mr Brokenshire said.

“We need to change that so the responsibility for any damage, repairs et cetera are met by SA Water.

Water Minister Ian Hunter.

Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire

“If you happen to have a 400mm main running down the side of your home, like those people had, and it busts in four places, they shouldn’t be responsible for that.

“At the moment, what we’ve seen regularly is SA Water showing no empathy and consideration for the victims and I believe that’s got to change.’’

Homes on Willow Drive appeared to be “in the middle of the River Torrens’’ and owners must have concerns of hidden, long-term damage to house structures, Mr Brokenshire said.

SA Water is expected to release a report next week into the cause of the multiple ruptures.

It emerged on Wednesday that one of the damaged houses on Willow Drive has an estimated $150,000 repair bill.

RAA Insurance said it was working with four flood-affected customers in the suburb.

“We are taking care of four RAA members in Paradise who were flooded by the burst water mains including one property with major damage estimated at over $150,000,” RAA claims manager Hayley Cain said.

“They were taken completely unaware.”