Water charges seem to burst

WATER is liquid gold for Cairns Regional Council.

Many years ago water supplied to your property was included within general rates but in recent times the council set up a separate division and levied water rates individually.

According to the council’s annual report, revenue from water totalled $125 million, including $117m from water rates and $1m in interest.

That is about a third of the council’s total $366m revenue and nearly half of the total $252m income from rates and levies.

Water expenditure was about $80m and the net surplus from water was $9.4m, a lot more than the council’s overall surplus of $1.8m.

By comparison waste revenue was $32m, expenditure was $25m and the bottom line was nil.

The council’s works department was a drain on ratepayers. Revenue was $20m while expenditure was $60m and the deficit was about $40m.

Senior executives were paid more than $2 million with six paid between $200,000-$299,999 and one (chief executive John Andrejic) between $300,000 and $399,999.

Mayor Bob Manning’s total package was $192,482 and $132,238 was paid to his deputy Terry James. Councillors received between $113,741 and $111,202.

Cr Brett Moller claimed the most in vehicle expenses ($14,478) followed by Cr Brett Olds ($10,782), while Cr Manning’s vehicle cost was $10,402. Crs James, Richie Bates and Max O’Halloran claimed no vehicle costs.

Overall the council’s financial position is healthy but interestingly our water bills always seem to rise each time they are sent out. Nick Dalton Deputy editor