July 11, 2022
South Burnett ratepayers connected to a town water supply scheme will be charged an extra 6 per cent a year for the next 10 years under a plan adopted by the South Burnett Regional Council (SBRC).
Wastewater charges will also rise by 3 per cent a year.
The plan to increase town water access and sewerage charges can be found in Council’s 2022-23 Budget papers.
Funds raised from both of these increases will help the SBRC build an $80 million war chest which will be used to fund essential future water and wastewater upgrades across the region.
At present, most households pay an average of $656 a year for a standard water connection and $739 for a single pedestal sewerage connection, or $1395 a year for an average household.
But under the 10-year plan, this will rise to an estimated $2182 per year by 2032-33.
Much of the region’s water and sewerage infrastructure is now nearing the end of its working life.
In recent years, the SBRC built a new wastewater treatment plant in Kingaroy and upgraded the Gordonbrook water treatment plant.
These two projects cost a combined $34.6 million.
In future years, the SBRC will need to replace other water and sewerage plants in Murgon, Wondai and Nanango.
The Council will also be required by the State Government to spend almost $12 million upgrading the Gordonbrook Dam spillway to help minimise potential damage from a 1-in-10,000 year flood.
- Editorial: The Questions No One Asked
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In 2013, $8 million was allocated for spillway repairs. Now the State Government advises a further $12 million for a one-in-10,000-year event. So the State Government would like the residents of the South Burnett to believe this rubbish. Unbelievable!