April 9, 2018
The South Burnett seems likely to escape proposed household water price increases under new bulk water charges recommended to the State Government.
On Monday, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) released its final report on bulk water prices for southeast Queensland, giving the government two options to increase the cost of water as it attempts to pay down the state’s water debt.
Queensland Urban Utilities and Unity Water customers would be paying an extra $23.20 over the next financial year and an extra $12 per year for the following two years in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim and Somerset under the first option.
“The price for Sunshine Coast and Noosa would increase by 8 per cent in 2018-19, 7.4 per cent in 2019-20 and 2.5 per cent in 2020-21, while the price for Redland City would rise by 9.3 per cent, 8.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent,” QCA chairman Professor Roy Green said.
“Under this option, the bulk water component of an average household’s bill in Sunshine Coast and Noosa would increase by $33.60 in 2018-19, $33.76 the following year and $12 in 2020-21.
“In Redland City, the increases would be $38.08 for each of the first two years and $12 in 2020-21.”
Professor Green said households in a group of eight councils would experience an average increase of $16 to $17 under the second plan, while the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Redland City customers would be harder hit.
“The second option would provide more gradual increases for the other three council areas — over a three-year span instead of two — with Sunshine Coast and Noosa seeing price increases of 6.5 per cent, 6.1 per cent and 5.7 per cent, while Redland City consumers would see rises of 7.3 per cent, 6.8 per cent and 6.4 per cent,” he said.
“This would see average households facing increases of about $27 each year for Sunshine Coast and Noosa and $30 each year for Redland City.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander has slammed the proposed price rises.
“Queenslanders are still paying the price for Labor’s multi-billion dollar water grid fail that saw pipes built without dams and dams built without pipes,” he said.
“Labor knew this price hike was coming but buried its release until the middle of the Commonwealth Games.”
Mr Mander said the State Government’s legacy was almost a 400% increase in bulk water prices over 10 years.
Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham said the government would consider the QCA’s review.
“The Government is acutely aware of how cost of living pressures are impacting on Queensland households,” he said.
Dr Lynham did not give any indication as to whether the recommendations would be accepted.
In the South Burnett, household water for town areas is supplied by the South Burnett Regional Council rather than by separate water utility companies, and water charges are included in rate notices.
In council areas serviced by Queensland Urban Utilities and Unity Water, water charges are not included in rate notices but are billed separately by the companies.
