{"id":243707,"date":"2019-09-09T19:24:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T09:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=243707"},"modified":"2020-07-17T17:45:03","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T07:45:03","slug":"irrigators-face-46pc-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/09\/09\/irrigators-face-46pc-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"Irrigators Face 46pc Rise"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A draft report from the Queensland Competition Authority recommends increasing the cost of water from the Barker-Barambah irrigation scheme from $27.60 to $40.34 per megalitre by 2023-24<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 9, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Irrigators using the Barker-Barambah Irrigation Scheme could see their water costs rise by 46 per cent if the State Government accepts recommendations from the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).<\/p>\n

The QCA has been undertaking a review of all charges levied by State-owned water utilities SunWater and Seqwater since October 31 last year.<\/p>\n

It released its draft report into rural irrigation scheme pricing on Monday.<\/p>\n

The report makes 24 recommendations and sets out proposed five-year pricing plans for SunWater and Seqwater’s irrigation schemes to 2023-24.<\/p>\n

The QCA will hold a series of public consultation meetings with Queensland irrigators during September and October to explain their recommendations and gather feedback.<\/p>\n

Barker-Barambah and Boyne River-Tarong irrigators will be able to meet with QCA officers in Murgon on October 9.<\/p>\n

Registrations for this workshop can be made online<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The QCA is also calling for additional public submissions before November 4 so it can present a final report to the State Government on January 31.<\/p>\n

In its draft report, the QCA recommends almost no price changes for Boyne River-Tarong irrigators during the coming five years.<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, Barker-Barambah irrigators can expect to see a 46 per cent increase, and users of the Redgate Uplift portion of the scheme a 40 per cent rise.<\/p>\n

At present, Barker-Barambah irrigators receive no water due to the drought, but are still required to pay for the fixed costs of running the scheme.<\/p>\n

The QCA recommends the proposed price increases be introduced gradually to reduce the effect of price rises from one year to the next.<\/p>\n

The increases are also likely to affect South Burnett Regional Council, which draws water for Murgon and Wondai town residents from Bjelke-Petersen Dam.<\/p>\n