Charges don't add up
To get an accurate idea on savings or increases on your water charges, add your access charge and your water charge together. If it is less than $825 (last year’s half yearly water charge for 950 kL of annual water) then you have saved money.
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The access fee will be charged twice a year (ongoing) on rates bills. The most you can save on water is $260 half year and that’s only if you didn’t turn on the tap at all.
Mount Isa City Council is claiming that two thirds (63%) of Mount Isa rate payers are better off under the new scheme, with $350,000 in savings so far.
They also claim that the average saving is $28 per rate payer and that 2000 rate payers have saved more than $100.
Well the stats don’t add up.
$28 by 6850 rate payers is $191,800.
That doesn’t equate to $350,000.
2000 residents by $100 is $200,000, so if that’s correct and going by their $28 average, than only 2000 rate payers are better off.
I’d really like to know the methodology on how the council are calculating their figures and how they allowed for empty properties.
Incorrect stats aside, is it right to boast about savings, when some residents meters weren’t read until a couple of months after the July 1 charge date?
There is now the very real possibility that Mount Isa could be left at the mercy of rate payers who may choose not to water their lawns to save money. This will not only impact on the city with dust but the real chance that blood lead levels could rise in children.
It’s wonderful that some rate payers are experiencing a discount, but technically your discount should be a lot more than what you are receiving.
If you used 950 kL on the new water charges scheme, you will pay an extra $300 than you would have on the previous scheme - almost a 20% mark up on water.
This doesn’t include the 15% increase in rates we have also experienced since the council has come into power.
I would like to see the council commence community engagement with Mount Isa rate payers on these new water charges.
Mount Isa is a great place to live and bring up a family, but it needs to be affordable.
Danielle Slade,
Mount Isa
Long term needs
When natural disasters disappear from the headlines it is natural for those affected to slip from our minds, but the effects of disasters continue to impact people long after the event itself has passed.
With the extent of damage from the North Queensland floods becoming obvious, what is clear is those affected will need our help, not just in the short term but ongoing.
From the economic impacts of people losing their livelihoods, homes and possessions, to the effects a disaster can have on physical and mental health, the need to offer a hand up to the residents of North Queensland remains.
It’s almost unfathomable an estimated 300,000 cattle were killed by the floods, but this is the reality faced by farmers and their communities. Just like the people of Townsville they too will need assistance as they seek to rebuild their lives. Vinnies has been there for the people of North Queensland in the immediate aftermath of this terrible event providing food, clothing, companionship and more, as we will always will be.
With your help we can support people as they transition from short term needs like food and clothing to longer term essentials like furniture, white goods and households items, all while buying local wherever possible to assist the economy to recover.
The aim of the Vinnies North Queensland Flood Appeal is to get the region back on its feet and help to restore their lives.
Whether it be through financial or emotional assistance, we will be there for those who are still struggling.
To donate visit http://bit.ly/DonateNorthQLDFloodAppeal or call 13 18 12.
Dennis Innes, State President
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland