SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said that developer contributions won’t solve the North’s wastewater crisis.
He was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins launched a public consultation on Friday.
Mr Durkan repeated the Audit Office’s call for an expert led review of Northern Ireland Water’s funding and governance model.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The impact of underinvestment in our wastewater infrastructure is becoming more apparent by the week.
“It is greatly inhibiting development and reducing our capacity to build homes at a time when levels of homelessness are soaring, and preventing investment and job creation in many areas too.
“Furthermore, the environmental damage being caused is becoming easier to see – and smell – with tonnes of raw sewage being released into our waterways.
“The Executive, in the last mandate, agreed a spending plan for NI Water going forward but this Executive has not been able to meet those financial commitments and in the face of mounting pressure, is scrambling around to be seen to be solving the problem when, in effect, these proposals are just shuffling the deckchairs on a sinking ship.
“Revenue generated through developer contributions alone will not touch the sides of what’s required.
“Nor is it a cost-neutral policy – if developers have to pay more, which most are prepared to do, the cost will ultimately fall to those buying the homes and will push up prices across the board, reduce the number of homes built and ultimately hit the paying public.
“The Audit Office has recommended an expert led review of NI Water’s funding and governance model, but like her predecessor, Minister Kimmins has buried her head in the sand and refuses to have such a review carried out.
“She says the current model is fit for purpose when it is clearly failing people and the planet.
“It’s like having a Rolls Royce, which is a great model, but isn’t much use if you can’t afford to run it.
“The public are already paying for water through their rates – so refusing any review on the grounds that it will end up with people having to pay is just gaslighting.
“If anything, such a review might actually vindicate the Minister’s position that mutualisation is not the magic bullet that some others think it is and help identify other options.
“Developer contributions can play a part but this can’t divert our attention on the need for other, urgent action to address our growing wastewater crisis.”
Tags: