ANDREW Barr has announced the appointment of a panel to review the much criticised water price direction from the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission.

“As permitted under the Independent Competition and Regulatory Act 1997, ACTEW Limited has applied for a review of the price direction for water and sewerage services made by the ICRC in June 2013. The Act requires the application to be considered by an Industry Panel of three members,” Andrew said.

“I am pleased to announce that Ms Mary Anne Hartley S.C. has been appointed the President of the Industry Panel and will be joined on the Panel by Ms Sally Farrier and Ms Claire Thomas.”

UPDATE: ACTEW have welcomed the appointments.

“The decision to seek review was not taken lightly and was notably the first time through more than 30 ICRC decisions relating to water and energy pricing over the past 17 years, that a review had been sought by any utility,” acting CEO John Knox said.

“Following our analysis, we felt that there were significant shortcomings in the decision, and felt obliged to exercise our right under the Act to seek review by an industry panel.”