Water off their back

Councillors ignore resident’s plan to reward responsible users

TOWNSVILLE councillors have ignored the concerns of a resident who says they are failing to reward people for saving water during the city’s prolonged drought.

The resident, Ryan Anthony of Belgian Gardens, has highlighted his case where he is using about two- thirds less than the council’s standard allocation but is saving just 4 per cent or $ 31 in annual water charges.

It means the council is pro- viding relief of $ 31 for a reduction of about 500,000 litres – or 0.006c per litre.

“The plan they have doesn’t really reward people for using less water,” Mr Anthony said.

“They need to provide people with a better incentive.”

Council has two billing options: Water Watchers Plan with fixed annual charge of $ 344 and a consumption charge of $ 1.38 per kilolitre or a Standard Plan of $ 755 for 772,000 litres.

The council’s water committee chairman, Paul Jacob, a prominent campaigner against the previous council’s water policies, could not be contacted for comment yesterday and, according to the council, is back on annual leave after taking leave in January and six weeks’ leave without pay to contest the State Election during October and November.

Asked for comment from a councillor about why it did not give more incentive for people to use less water under its billing options, the council provided the following statement:

“Townsville Water and Waste General Manager Scott Moorhead said the water charging regime had remained in place for several years.

“A previous council administration tried to introduce a water pricing structure that relied totally on a user- pays system but that caused significant community backlash.

“The Water Watchers scheme was designed for residents who are water conscious or living in apartments or townhouses and offers strong value for those customers.”

Townsville Residents and Ratepayers Association representative Peter Newey said the council appeared to be maximising its revenue rather than wanting to save water and Cr Jacob had “gone to the dark side”.

Water for Townsville Action Group spokeswoman Linda Ashton said its members were calling for charges based on use per 100,000 litres.

Concerns have previously been raised that the council is using water as a cash cow.