Mayor Joyce McCulloch said a user pays system will replace the current quota system, where residents and business paid an annual fee for a set volume of water each year.

“For many years the Council has heard feedback from residents they felt they were paying for water they never use,” Cr McCulloch said.

“That’s why we have taken the decision to switch over to a consumption based payment system, which means you will only be charged for the water you use, together with a fixed access charge.”

Cr McCulloch said the new system was fairer.

“It responds to community feedback received over many years, and also ensures the city complies with current the Queensland Local Government Act 2009,” she said.

Councillor McCulloch said the first water notice issued will be for the period July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 and will be sent during January 2019.

“We are currently finalising the rating amounts and full details will be available from next week, Wednesday July 11,” Cr McCulloch said.

“We have delayed this decision until we were confident that it was the best way forward for this community.

“We live in a region prone to extended periods of drought. Every drop of water is a precious resource.”

Some users had complained graphs on their water bills were incorrect.

Meanwhile the last council meeting on June 27 received a confidential report from the manager Corporate and Financial Services after which Council agreed to request the Chief Executive Officer to provide advice to the Valuer General recommending that no statutory land valuations, with an effective date of 30 June 2019, be undertaken in the Mount Isa City Council local government area.

Also in the closed session of the same meeting Council agreed to write off the water charges totalling $1526.40 for the billing period ended February 20 due to faulty Council equipment.