July2011_Costs of unscrambling the egg too great
Moreton Bay Regional Council today announced it would continue with the new local water authority, established by the State Government, as the cost involved in withdrawing from the Unitywater operation would be far too great for ratepayers.
Council made the announcement following a Special Meeting on June 16.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said when considering the future of water in the region, Council’s focus was on reducing pressure on family budgets.
“Local residents and businesses must get the best value for their money,” Mayor Sutherland said.
An independent report from Ernst & Young tabled at the meeting estimates the cost involved in withdrawing from the Unitywater operation, with assets of more than $2.5 billion, could be in excess of $187 million – around $1200 per ratepayer.
Mayor Sutherland said the report clearly demonstrates there would be a huge financial burden placed on ratepayers if Council were to take water back under the State Government’s proposal.
“We are not prepared to impose the astronomical cost of unravelling Unitywater on our ratepayers.
“I am disappointed, but Council has no other option than to continue with the South-East Queensland water utility structure – in our case Unitywater,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Sutherland said that given the uncertainty of the looming State Election, now was not the time to play risky games.
“There are a lot of unknowns and I urge the LNP to reveal its plans for water as soon as possible.
Unfortunately at this time we can only make a decision based on what is known,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Sutherland said Council’s number one priority was to ensure the costs of essential services like water were kept as low as possible for residents and businesses.
“That’s why the Moreton Bay Regional Council will continue to provide its full water subsidy to Unitywater customers again in 2011-12.
“We continue to be the only council in Queensland providing such a subsidy to its community,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said when considering the future of water in the region, Council’s focus was on reducing pressure on family budgets.
“Local residents and businesses must get the best value for their money,” Mayor Sutherland said.
An independent report from Ernst & Young tabled at the meeting estimates the cost involved in withdrawing from the Unitywater operation, with assets of more than $2.5 billion, could be in excess of $187 million – around $1200 per ratepayer.
Mayor Sutherland said the report clearly demonstrates there would be a huge financial burden placed on ratepayers if Council were to take water back under the State Government’s proposal.
“We are not prepared to impose the astronomical cost of unravelling Unitywater on our ratepayers.
“I am disappointed, but Council has no other option than to continue with the South-East Queensland water utility structure – in our case Unitywater,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Sutherland said that given the uncertainty of the looming State Election, now was not the time to play risky games.
“There are a lot of unknowns and I urge the LNP to reveal its plans for water as soon as possible.
Unfortunately at this time we can only make a decision based on what is known,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Mayor Sutherland said Council’s number one priority was to ensure the costs of essential services like water were kept as low as possible for residents and businesses.
“That’s why the Moreton Bay Regional Council will continue to provide its full water subsidy to Unitywater customers again in 2011-12.
“We continue to be the only council in Queensland providing such a subsidy to its community,” Mayor Sutherland said.
