The Premier has announced a seven-point action plan for water and sewerage billing in recognition of the widespread community upset over the new system.

 

“Today, I announce a package of changes to water and sewerage billing that will put $8.9 million back into the pockets of Tasmanians this year,” Mr Bartlett said.

 

“We will halve the increases of water and sewerage bills to Tasmanians.

 

“This is not an election promise – these changes will start right now.”

 

The action plan will see:

 

·        Water and sewerage bills capped at five per cent this financial year – down from 10 per cent - and for the next two years until an independent review in 2012-13;

 

·        Households and businesses that have already paid this year’s bill and who have been charged an increase in excess of five per cent over last year will receive a rebate for the difference;

 

·        The Government will work with the regional water and sewerage bodies to ensure Tasmanians have until June 30 to pay this year’s water and sewerage bills;

 

·        A plan for the statewide roll-out of water meters by 2012-13, seeing people charged for the water they actually use and allowing households to control the size of their bills;

 

·        Water and sewerage concessions will be permanently indexed to future price rises, meaning the support available to the most vulnerable Tasmanians will not be eroded over time;

 

·        Housing Tasmania tenants will be exempt from paying water and sewerage bills; and

 

·        Private tenants will not receive water and sewerage bills until the introduction of water meters in 2012-13. This extends the Government’s previous commitment by two years. Up until 2012-13, landlords will continue to receive the entire bill. Once meters are introduced, landlords will attract the fixed costs and tenants will only pay for the water they use.

 

Mr Bartlett said he heard the message loud and clear right across Tasmania that people were upset by the new water and sewerage billing arrangements.

 

“I understand why people are angry – and I accept that,” he said.

 

The Premier said the action plan recognised the widespread concerns about the impact of the bills on top of other cost of living increases and provided a way forward for the Tasmanian community.

 

He said that capping water and sewerage bills and extending rebates to those who had already paid too much would put $8.9 million back into the pockets of Tasmanians this financial year.

 

“I want to make it absolutely clear that these water and sewerage reforms are critical to our public health, our environment and to building a strong economy into the future,” Mr Bartlett said.

 

“We cannot go on with 23 towns on permanent boil water alerts and a situation where we saw almost 100 raw sewerage spills reported in Tasmania in July and August this year alone.

 

“This is a case of sharing the benefits of a strong economy that all Tasmanians have helped build and of relieving some of the cost-of-living pressures many Tasmanian households are feeling.”