##MP##

Residents have received their first water bills since Cairns Regional Council approved a 20 cent/kilolitre hike in usage charges.

The 16 per cent increase for the 2021/22 financial year compares with hikes of just 1.65 per cent and 1.68 per cent in 2020/21 and 2019/20 respectively.

Water now costs 1.43 cents per kilolitre.

Northern Beaches resident Cynthia Vicks told Tropic Now her water bills for two units at Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob have each doubled, with water usage also increasing at both properties.

##BA##

##PQ##

“Many people are saying they have had a terrible time.

“My next-door neighbour said her bill had doubled this quarter and her usage had also increased.

“She’s one person in a townhouse as am I.”

Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin said the region still has the best value water and sewerage rates compared with similar-sized councils in Queensland.

“As part of funding the increased cost of operations and its extensive Capital Works program, Council carefully considered each of its revenue streams as part of the Budget process,” she said.

“A higher proportional increase to water usage rates was considered appropriate based on benchmarking, as well as the influence ratepayers have over their usage, and therefore their bill.

“Cairns’ water usage charges are extremely low, considering residents in south-east Queensland pay in excess of $4 a kilolitre.

“The increased revenue base will inevitably assist with funding the operational costs of the new infrastructure delivered as part of the Water Security Strategy once complete.”

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed the installation of smart water meters across Cairns hasn’t moved beyond the pilot program.

The Ultrasonic Meters allow for better detection of water leaks by constantly measuring consumption.

In 2017, the Council signed a $16-million contract with USA-based Itron to roll out the devices.

Just under 1000 meters have so far been installed, all in Palm Cove.

The Council says phase two begins next financial year, and will see the remaining 55,000 meters rolled out, although they won’t initially have the endpoints required to make them smart.

The work’s not scheduled for completion until 2025.

COMMUNITY
BUSINESS

Main points

  • Water usage costs in Cairns have climbed 16%, or 20 cents a kilolitre

  • Previously, annual rises were restricted to less than 2%

  • Cairns Regional Council's smart water meter rollout has halted
I understand it could be leaks however both bills have gone up considerably.
Cynthia Vicks
Yorkeys Knob resident