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Ahem ... what about this water access charge?

OUR SAY: THE release yesterday of Toowoomba Regional Council’s annual report shows the massive size of the business.

OUR SAY: THE release yesterday of Toowoomba Regional Council's annual report shows the massive size of the business.

Council employs about 1700 people and is responsible for $4.5 billion worth of property, plant and equipment.

According to council, the past year has been a successful one - managing the city's debt while dealing with the numerous headaches that come with service delivery expectations.

The report highlights the infrastructure boom the city is enjoying. It has made our region one of the most enviable in Australia.

There are, of course, major costs that face council.

One which I'm sure every ratepayer would like to query is the water access charge.

That charge was implemented when it was deemed necessary to pay $175 million for a pipeline from Wivenhoe Dam.

The query is when or if that debt will be repaid and if that charge will be dropped.

There is much more to come with moves on the Inland Rail progressing.

The ongoing dispute with developers will likely be council's major headache in the coming year.

That should be resolved as quickly as possible.

Originally published as Ahem ... what about this water access charge?

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/ahem-what-about-this-water-access-charge/news-story/e9d225c651f1e7932585b335c781d667