November 8, 2024
South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt has assured residents they will not have to pay new plumbing charges this month.
Mr Pitt issued an official statement (see below) after a storm erupted on social media when a letter was sent from Council to some South Burnett residents about new annual fees.
Mr Pitt was on leave when the letter, detailing fees for premises with Household Sewerage Treatment Plants (HSTP) and / or Backflow Prevention Devices installed, was issued.
The letter explained the annual fees – ranging from $30 to $60 – were to cover the cost of Council maintaining up-to-date registers of these installations, something required under State legislation.
“In complying with this legislation, Council during its 2024-25 Budget meeting resolved to commence charging fees for the Backflow Prevention devices and introduce a new annual HTSP fee,” the letter stated.
The reaction on a local community Facebook page was immediate:
Are they going to service and pump it out for that charge. They bloody wanta. I’ll be telling them where they can stick that bill, cheeky buggers aye.
So you pay $100 maintenance every 3 months and now a $60 process fee and an extra $30 for blowback prevention. Think the council needs to maintain the system themselves.
Apparently out here at Tarong neighbours on that system are being slugged $60 and aren’t even on town water … It’s bullshit
$60 To treat our own water and waste. This is not fair. The cost will not doubt go higher each year. Added on to the South Burnett already exorbitant rates !! Talk about a money grab
Funny how they get elected then throw you under bus. Don’t trust promises. Have a good memory
Must have been on the books before the council election and no one said a word? Wonder why?
Reacting to the uproar, Mayor Kathy Duff posted on Facebook on Wednesday night:
Hi Everyone. Apparently Council has sent letters out about backflow devices. I have spoken to the CEO and this should not have happened. There will be no action taken until a full report has been brought back to Council. Please hold off until we can get further information which will be after the November Council Meeting. Thanks, Kathy
On Friday, Mr Pitt issued the following statement:
Recently, and during my absence while on leave, a letter was issued which had not undergone the required checks in Executive Services.
As Chief Executive Officer, I take responsibility for the issuance of any official correspondence.
It is important to note that no invoices will be issued or fees charged in November as was inferred in the correspondence.
There are extensive conversations and community consultation to be undertaken before any such introduction of regulatory action.
The intention is to bring South Burnett Regional Council in line with other Councils in regard to statutory requirements and legislation, and a recent audit of our internal registers has found a deficit in this area, which brought about these actions.
Internally, steps are being taken to address process issues with bulk mail outs and we thank constituents for their forbearance, and sincerely regret any anxiety this may have caused.
On behalf of Council, I advise a report will be presented to the November Ordinary Meeting of Council.
I must reiterate that no action will be taken in this calendar year and any further steps will be considered, and with full community consultation.
