ACTEW and Simon Corbell plan to take the (vital) social element out of water restrictions

In this suburb the popular pay-to-water options recently were:
– put up ‘tank water in use’ signs and water at will [very cheap];
– install water timing system to operate at 3 am [fairly cheap]; or
– install trickle irrigation under your lawn [costly].

Isn’t there already a step-up in water cost once you use a over a certain amount per quarter (or is that electricity?)? If so, then people who use more water are already paying a bit more. They should just adjust those step-up rates and limits (based on the size of the house/land?)

Fully agree with your post, I-filed. The whole idea that some could pay their way out of water restrictions when times are tough goes against everything our culture stands for – indeed, ACTEW’s proposals feel like a metaphorical ‘third world’-style palm asking to be greased.

Water just shouldn’t be a commodity in this way.

MrBurmester said :

In answer to ‘And what do the Greens think?’ see: http://act.greens.org.au/content/responsibility-conserve-water-should-be-shared

I’m far more interested in what the productivity commission thinks:
http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/urban-water

I-filed said :

ED: I think they cut off your water altogether if you flout water restrictions don’t they?

From memory urban water connections can’t be physically cut off without consent, although “authorised persons” within ACTEW/ActewAGL have the ability to turn off your water at the stop valve. You can also be charged for excess water use, or fined under water restrictions legislation.

FWIW water restrictions are as much about raising community awareness as they are about saving water. For the Government to propose that those willing to pay be allowed circumvent the rules is poor policy. (Although apply the same policy to other areas of Gov’t and you’d probably just be exposing usual business practices!)

In answer to ‘And what do the Greens think?’ see: http://act.greens.org.au/content/responsibility-conserve-water-should-be-shared

ED: I think they cut off your water altogether if you flout water restrictions don’t they?

And only a few weeks after a major story by the CT about how ACTEW revenues are down due to reduced water consumption.

SSrb said :

Gee, the public opinion survey reported in the news today became a plan at lightning speed.

One thing you obviously have yet to learn is that these “opinion surveys” don’t happen by magic. That a specific economic model is being raised indicates that the opinion survey is to get people talking about a change which is already planned.

That is to say, “opinion surveys” are usually a form of stalking horse, or at worst a trial balloon.

Gee, the public opinion survey reported in the news today became a plan at lightning speed.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/water-pricing-review/2319438.aspx