With residents set to receive their next water consumption notices in the coming week Mount Isa City Council said its latest water usage figures show the average ratepayer of an occupied residential property falls well within the lowest tariff rate.
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Council said the new round of notices would present "a number of positive changes" including financial saving and increased water conservation awareness within the Lead Alliance guidelines.
Council CEO Sharon Ibardolaza said under the previous system, data showed most householders were using well under the allocation while meeting health guidelines, and now even more could do so.
She said following community consultation feedback, Council was improving its Water Consumption Notices to make them clearer and easier to understand.
"We want people to see positive changes and receive clear communication from us to ensure their payment requirements and water use are more easily understood," Ms Ibardolaza said.
"Council have taken on board that ratepayers feel restricted in the amount of water they can use due to the introduction of the tiered system.
Council have taken on board that ratepayers feel restricted in the amount of water they can use
- Sharon Ibardolaza
"Although a tiered system is best practice in drier communities such as Mount Isa to balance the needs of general living and maintaining a beautiful garden against a limited water supply, for those that are having difficulty reducing their consumption, an increase has been provided in the 2019/20 allowance for the discounted water rate of $0.87 per kilolitre in Tier 1, from 950kL to 1000kL for residential properties, and from 950kL to 1250kL for non-residential properties."
Council said it recommended residents carry out regular checks on their water meters to ensure no concealed leaks on their properties and this could be done by turning all internal and external taps off and checking if the meter is running.
Payment for the water consumption notices is due on Monday, August 29.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
