Council's message on water: cut back on use or pay extra

MACKAY Regional Council is sending a clear message to residents: It’s not profiting from an increase in water bills.

MACKAY Regional Council is sending a clear message to residents: It's not profiting from an increase in water bills.

Water and sewage portfolio councillor Frank Gilbert said it was "inevitable" that the council would receive complaints about water bills, which were sent out to residents last week.

But Cr Gilbert said he wanted the public to know that the council did not profit from water rates.

He said compared to other parts of the state, Mackay's water costs were "about the middle" of the range.

"An economic analysis company does an independent assessment of all water rates in Queensland every year and according to them we're in the middle range in terms of pricing," he said.

Cr Gilbert said Townsville City Council was "in a bit of a pickle" with its water costs and wanted to switch from its current system to charging a tariff similar to Mackay.

He said residents needed to consider the size of Mackay and the costs associated with updating the region's water infrastructure.

"We've inherited areas in the region that weren't up to scratch in terms of water provision, and the Pioneer Valley was one of them.

"We're certainly not profiting, nor would we. I want to charge less, not more."

He said residents had a clear choice, either cut back on water use or pay extra for upgrades to infrastructure.

"In south-east Queensland they had a crisis some years ago and the message got out to people that they needed to reduce their consumption.

"They've built the water grid and they haven't got that crisis anymore, but the consumption hasn't risen because people had adjusted to conserving water.

"If people want to reduce their water bills its simple, they just have to reduce their consumption."

Commenters on the Daily Mercury's Facebook page weren't impressed after receiving their water rates notices.

Lynton J Vonderwall said his bill had doubled despite using "less water".

"What … did the Mackay Regional Council expect," asked Janine Bunworth.

"An over-the-top increase in population and no increase in water catchment.

"The residents of Mackay have not used more water. There are more residents and Mackay Regional Council has not catered for them, and they expect us to pay for it in more ways than dollars."

Water charges compared:

• Townsville City Council offers a choice of a Standard Plan at $714 per annum for up to 772 kilolitres (kL) or a Water Watchers plan at a fixed charge of $325 per annum plus $1.30 per kL of water used.
• Rockhampton Region Council bills its residents quarterly and charges $0.67 per kL for consumption up to 75kL, $1.04 per kL from 75kL to 150kL and $2.09 per kL for more than 150kL.
• Mackay Regional Council issues bills twice a year, charging at two tariffs of $1.60 per kL for up to 150 kL and $2.40 a kL for consumption over 150 kL.
• The average consumption for a six-month period in Mackay is 104 kilolitres.

Originally published as Council's message on water: cut back on use or pay extra