Retiree Tim Nash locked in dispute with TasWater over $400 annual bill for disused shed toilet

A retiree has spoken out about his “bloody depressing” experience dealing with TasWater, after the utility started billing him an additional $400 a year for a toilet that hasn’t been used in a decade.

Tim Nash is copping a $400 bill per year from TasWater due to a unused toilet in a shed on his property. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A Mornington retiree has spoken out about his “bloody depressing” experience dealing with TasWater, after the utility started billing him an additional $400 a year for a toilet that hasn’t been used in a decade.

Tim Nash, 64, has been locked in a dispute with the company for months, following an audit of his property that resulted in him being charged for a toilet and basin located in a shed on his block.

Mr Nash said when he bought the property 30 years ago, Clarence Council informed him he would not have to pay any additional fees if he installed the toilet in his home workshop.

“The toilet hasn’t been used for probably 10 years,” Mr Nash said.

“They upped my water rates by 60 per cent … because in the future, I could rent that shed out.

“I don’t know how you can basically tax someone on an assumption. I could win Tattslotto next week but the chances of me winning Tattslotto and renting out that shed are the same.”

Tim Nash of Mornington is copping a $400 bill per year from TasWater due to a unused toilet in a shed on his property. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Nash said his property was zoned controlled industry, which was a factor in TasWater’s decision to start charging him for the shed toilet.

He appealed the decision to Ombudsman Tasmania but was ultimately informed that the Ombudsman was “satisfied TasWater has responded to your concerns appropriately, has provided explanations and alternative options and escalated the matter when you have requested”.

“I understand your position as outlined in your complaint to this office that you will not rent the shed, however, TasWater charges are based on the potential load that it may have on its infrastructure, not the actual load,” an Ombudsman Tasmania intake and investigation officer wrote to Mr Nash in June.

Luke Edmonds Labor member for Pembroke with Tim Nash. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Nash said he had the option of plugging the toilet but “I don’t really want to do that because … it’s all going to cost me about $800 … and it’s a really difficult job to do”.

He said he had undergone knee replacement surgery last year, which had caused him stress and “then this bloody thing [happened] and it’s just bloody depressing”.

Pembroke Labor MLC Luke Edmunds said something needed to be done to help Mr Nash, who he said “shouldn’t be subjected to this bill rise, particularly at a time when the costs of other utilities are skyrocketing”.

TasWater head of customer services and revenue Jayne Shepherd said the utility undertook routine audits of properties “to ensure we have accurate account information”.

“If an audit reveals additional amenities, and therefore additional load on our sewerage system, equivalent tenement (ET) charges are adjusted accordingly,” she said.

“These charges can be reduced if disused toilets and basins are disconnected and removed from the network.”