Water Pricing 2011/12 Frequently Asked Questions
In recent years, council has worked with the State and Federal Government to move to a two-part tariff and adopted this system in 2010. At the time council understood this was required under best practice principles which have been agreed to by both State and Federal Governments.
The State Government has since advised that there is nothing at the State level stopping the council reverting back to the former water pricing system where residents had a choice of paying for a fixed water allocation or a two-part tariff. In accordance with the advice received from the state, council has reverted to the former pricing system. This system will remain until such time that the Federal or State Government advise that the council needs to change the system.
The advice of the State and Federal Government is important to the council because both levels of government offer significant funding grants for major capital works to upgrade sewerage and water infrastructure. It was important that the pricing structure adopted by council did not jeopardise these funding grants.
How will the changes in water pricing affect residential ratepayers?
For the 2011/2012 period, residential property owners will have a choice in how they are billed for water. Residential property owners will now receive all of their Rates and Utilities charges on the same notice that will be issued twice per year, in August 2011 and March 2012.
What are the water billing choices?
Residential users
Standard Plan (Fixed allocation)
The Standard Plan option (fixed allocation) will see residential properties allocated 772kl of water to use for the cost of $650 per consumption year, to be charged in two equal parts over two consecutive Rates Notices. Water consumption above this allocated amount will be billed at $2.49 per kilolitre as an excess water charge.
A High Water Consumption Advice will be issued to properties that are likely to have excessive water consumption.
Water Watchers Plan – (Two-part tariff)
The Water Watchers’ Plan option (two-part tariff) will see residential properties charged a service connection fee of $296 per year billed in two equal amounts over two consecutive Rates Notices, and a water consumption charge billed at $1.18 per kilolitre you use.
How can I change my water billing option?
For the 2011/2012 billing cycle, all residential properties will automatically be connected to the Standard Plan. Vacant residential blocks of land with underground water infrastructure, will automatically incur a vacant land charge of $296, which is equal to the value of the service connection fee of the Water Watchers’ Plan, plus a water consumption charge billed at $1.18 per kilolitre, if a meter is connected.
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When can I change my billing option?
Residential ratepayers can change their water billing option during the opt-in period each year. For 2010/2011 this opt-in period was 20 June until the 17 July, unless there is a change of ownership or land use, or a water meter is connected to vacant land during the financial year period.
In these instances, residential owners will be given four weeks from the date of lodging the change of ownership/use advice, to advise council of any change to the allocated water billing system. The change will be effective from the first meter read after the date of transfer.
How often will residential users be billed for water?
Residential property owners will receive all their rates and utilities charges on the same notice that will be issued twice per year, in August 2011 and March 2012.
What happens if I use more than the fixed allocation of 772kL?
Water consumption over the allocated amount of 772kL will be billed at $2.49 per kilolitre as an excess water charge. A High Water Consumption Advice will be issued to properties that are likely to exceed their water allocation.
Can I change my water billing method?
Residential property owners can only change their water billing method once per year during the opt-in period. The 2011/2012 opt-in period this is from 20th June to 17th July.
Please note - Residential property owners can only change their water billing method outside of this period if there is a change of ownership or land use.
What if I have more than one water meter on my property?
All residential properties will automatically revert to the ‘Standard Plan’ (fixed allocation) from the first meter reading for the 2011/12 period. Residential property owners with more than one water meter can choose only one option for all meters. Residents are not able to have different water billing option assigned to the different water meters.
I live in a unit complex with a shared meter. How can I choose my water pricing method?
Units, duplexes and the like that share a single water meter will need to indicate their water billing option during the opt-in period between 20 June to 17 July. Only the body corporate or managing agent can change the billing method for residential properties with shared water meters e.g. units, duplexes.
This means that in the instance of multiple owners, meetings or the relevant voting mechanism in place for the body corporate or property management will need to occur in time for the property’s preference to be indicated during the opt-in period.
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I own a vacant block of land. How will I be charged for water?
Vacant residential blocks of land with underground water infrastructure, will automatically incur a vacant land charge of $296, which is equal to the value of the service connection fee of the Water Watchers’ Plan, plus a water consumption charge billed at $1.18 per kilolitre, if a meter is connected.
I recently purchased a new property. How do I know how my property is charged for water?
Residents who have purchased a new property can contact council to confirm the water billing option currently assigned to the property. Residential property owners can change their water billing choice outside of the opt-in period each year if there is a change of ownership or land use, or a water meter is connected to vacant land during the financial year period.
In these cases owners, have four weeks from the date of receipt of the change advice to action any change to the properties allocated water billing method.
When do these water billing choices come into effect?
Your preferred water billing choice will begin at the start of your property’s water consumption year. Water billing under any system is based on the individual consumption year of the property, not the financial year.
Are there any further charges for utilities for the 2010/11 period?
Yes. Under the two-part tariff pricing system originally adopted by council in 2010, water consumption charges were charged after the water was consumed, unlike the fixed service charges for utilities which were charged in advance. Because of this, the balance of your water consumption charges for the 2010/11 period will appear on your first 2011/12 half yearly Rates Notice as a separate line item.
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Who do I contact about my water charges?
Read more about the changes to residential rates and water utilities billing for 2011/12. If you require further information or assistance please contact council.
What is the average water use for a residential property?
Most residential households in Townsville typically consume somewhere between 400 to 500 kilolitres of water each year. In 2009/2010, the average annual residential water supplied by council was 434.08kL. However, individual household consumption can vary greatly depending upon the size of the block, the type of dwelling, seasonal conditions and the number of people living in the property.
How do I know how much water I use?
By checking your last Utilities Notices. Water consumption for the 2010/11 consumption period appeared in the top right hand corner of your quarterly Utilities Invoice. Your water meter registers all water used at your property and is read by council four times a year. This reading is used to charge water consumption for residential properties on a Water Watchers plan, or any excess consumption for residential properties on a Standard Plan.
In 2011/12 water consumption for all residential property owners will appear on your half yearly Rates Notices. You can view your historical water consumption online or contact council.
Will I receive a discount on my rates?
Discounts will apply for early payment on General Rates. If you are an eligible pensioner, this discount will apply on both your General Rates and the State Government fire levy. The discount will not be applied for the utilities charges on your Rates Notice.
What about providing a discount on water?
Under Federal Legislation, water and waste utilities are required to recover the full cost of providing services to the community. If council were to offer discounts for early payment on water and waste charges it would have to increase these charges to cover the cost of the discount.
Council has chosen not to include water in the discount in order to keep prices lower and show the true price being offered. Please note that the provision of discounts is not common practice for Queensland water businesses. Discounts will apply for early payment on General Rates. If you are an eligible pensioner, this discount will apply on both your General Rates and the State Government fire levy.
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How do I know whether the Water Watcher or Standard Plan is better for me?
The best way to decide what plan would work for you comes down to knowing and understanding your water usage. The Standard Plan provides residents with an allocation of 772kl of water for $650 for the year. If you are not a high water user and are likely to use less than 300kL of water per year then the Water Watcher Plan may be a more suitable option.
For example: The Water Watcher Plan will see the residential ratepayer charged a $296 service fee and a fee of $1.18 per kilolitre used. If you use 300kL per year, the cost of water to you will be $650. ($296 plus $1.18 x 300kL = $650)
Therefore on the Water Watcher Plan, if you use more than 300kL of water per year, then the cost to you will be more than $650 per year and the Standard Plan will be the more suitable option.
How can I view my previous Rates Notice and Utilities Invoice online?
You can view your previous Rates Notice or Utilities Invoice online or contact council.