Unitywater submeter replacements outrages Minyama residents

Outraged Sunshine Coast residents have claimed they are being “targeted” by a major water company amid a rampant cost of living crisis. Have your say in our poll.

Outraged Minyama residents have claimed they are being “targeted” by a major water supply company amid a rampant cost of living crisis, with concerns others could soon be affected.

Residents of Groves 1, Minyama, were informed by Unitywater, who were responsible for the complex’s water usage, in November 2021 their water meters were no longer up to the company’s standard and they could not guarantee an accurate reading; meaning all 65 submeters in the complex needed to be replaced regardless of their age.

But residents and body corporate committee members were left outraged after they were told Unitywater would not contribute to the cost of the new meters and instead they were to be paid for by the complex’s body corporate.

Quotes for the new meters ranged from $21,760 to $43,146 and $44,500.

Unitywater would only take responsibility for the upkeep of the new meters once they had been installed, residents were told.

The entrance of the Groves number one unit complex in Minyama. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

If body corporate did not agree to this, they were given two options: overall water use in the complex would be pooled together and then split 65 equal ways, meaning residents would be billed the same amount regardless of how much or how little water they used; or each resident would be billed according to their unit entitlement.

The residents and body corporate have until October 20 to make a decision, or Unitywater would automatically adopt splitting an overall water bill 65 ways.

Body Corporate Committee Chairman Kevin Howe called the situation “an injustice” and said unit complexes were being “targeted”.

He could not understand why single-dwelling homes were not facing the same problem and said Unitywater’s claims of not ensuring accurate readings were “not true”.

Resident Roy Brown could also not understand why all meters needed to be replaced, especially considering his own meter was replaced only two years ago.

He said Body Corporate should not have to foot the bill.

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were concerned other “more densely populated suburbs” would be affected in future.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli called Unitywater’s decision “unconscionable” amid a rampant cost of living crisis. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

It comes after councillor Joe Natoli tried organise a meeting with Unitywater to discuss the situation, but was unsuccessful.

Mr Natoli said he asked Unitywater if they could lessen the upfront cost of replacing all the meters at once with an increased bill to pay off the upgrades in instalments.

But the company declined and argued legislation legitimised their actions, Mr Natoli said.

“They can argue all they like but it is unconscionable to be placing their customers under so much financial pressure,” he said.

Unitywater Customer and Community Executive Manager Katherine Gee said Unitywater owned the master meter at the front of the complex but the Groves body corporate owned the sub meters; meaning they were not Unitywater’s responsibility.

If all the submeters weren’t replaced, the unit complex would not be compliant with the Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code, and residents risked being unfairly billed, she said.

The Groves Body Corporate and residents will hold a meeting on October 19 and present Unitywater with their decision on October 20.