Water revenue up $17m

STATE Government bulk charges have been blamed for an expected $17 million spike in the council’s income from water and sewerage in the next financial year.

Budget documents reveal the council is tipped to receive $503 million from water in the 2018-19 financial year, up from $486.5 million this year.

Water and sewerage makes up the largest chunk of the council’s $1.5 billion budget.

But council water boss Paul Taylor denied council was responsible.

“We are not putting up the water charges, we have not done that for four years,” he said. “Bulk water charges are where this has come from, it is not us.

“The income generated from this will go into the water reserve which funds upgrades and maintenance of our water assets plants.”

Budget documents released on Thursday show council’s water bills will not increase from 2017-18, with ratepayer bills for water services remaining at $212.08.

Sewerage costs are increasing 0.1 per cent.

The State’s water consumption charge will increase 3.6 per cent from July 1, from $505.80 to $523.80.

Council’s total income from fees and charges will increase by $7 million next year to $105.3 million.

These fees come from sources such as development application processing fees, pool fencing exemption applications and park usage by a commercial operators. Much of the increase is expected to come from the council regaining full control of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre following the Commonwealth Games. such as treatment