Beijing water company buys into Mundaring Water Treatment Plant

• In 2011 the previous Liberal National Government entered into a Public Private Partnership with Helena Water to build and operate the $300 million Mundaring Water Treatment Plant
• Beijing Enterprises Water Group International Pty Ltd has purchased a 25 per cent stake in Helena Water 

One of the private owners involved in a Public Private Partnership agreed to under the previous Liberal National Government for the operation of the Mundaring Water Treatment Plant has been sold four years into a 35-year agreement.

The previous government entered into the Public Private Partnership with Helena Water in July 2011 for the design, construction, finance and operation, and maintenance of the Mundaring Water Treatment Plant.

The $300 million Mundaring Water Treatment Plant treats water prior to it being pumped up the Goldfields Pipeline to 100,000 people in the Perth Hills, Kalgoorlie and the agricultural region.

Beijing Enterprises Water Group International Pty Ltd has this week bought out TRILITY Australia Investments Pty Ltd's 25.05 per cent share in Helena Water.

Helena Water is also part-owned by Spain's ACCIONA Agua and Aberdeen Asset Management of the UK.

The transaction has been approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"This transaction demonstrations one of the potential pitfalls of privatising important water infrastructure.

"When the previous Liberal National Government privatised the Mundaring Water Treatment Plant they claimed to have carefully selected the right private partners with the necessary expertise and long-term commitment.

"Yet now, just four years into a 35-year contract, one of the major owners is selling out.

"It is the McGowan Government's belief that important water infrastructure should remain in public hands. When you privatise these assets the deal you sign up for is often not the deal you get."

Minister's office - 6552 6100