PURCHASING a filtration plant to treat Mount Isa’s water will be the number one priority when it’s decided which party takes power in Queensland, according to mayor Tony McGrady.
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Cr McGrady will visit the incoming premier and present Mount Isa’s case for urgent assistance to buy a filtration plant in line with the Mount Isa City Council’s submission under the Royalties for Regions program.
A petition to seek state funding to ease the financial burden of the drought in Mount Isa has been finalised and submitted to the Queensland Parliament.
The petition calls for financial assistance from the state government following the massive hike to household rates as a result of drought-induced water issues.
Cr McGrady said the petition included more than 1500 signatures (not including digital signatures collected via the e-petition website) showing the council and residents were united and the issue warranted the attention of government.
“We understand that there are a number of drought-relief programs in place which assist farmers and others, yet there is nothing at all which assists ratepayers who have to pay substantial rate increases to enable councils to meet the costs of water filtration plants and increased pumping costs under drought conditions,” Cr McGrady said.
“Despite our submissions to the state government for assistance to purchase such a system, our plea and requests under the Royalties for the Regions program have been rejected,” the mayor said.
There has been no government assistance despite Cr McGrady holding talks with federal Treasurer Joe Hockey, Queensland premier Campbell Newman, energy and water supply minister Mark McArdle and local government and community recovery and resilience minister David Crisafulli.
“Mount Isa is experiencing a major water supply problem, although recent rains have brought some relief, city ratepayers have been burdened to cover the costs of pumping water on top of various other financial disadvantages that come with living in a remote part of the country,” Cr McGrady said.
In late 2013, the Mount Isa Water Board passed on $3.2million in costs to the council for the treatment of blue-green algae found in the water system.
Part of this cost was absorbed by the temporary drought ultra-filtration water charge of $440 per year for each household.
