The Bundaberg channel irrigation scheme will receive a rebate to ensure water bill increases for 2012/13 are capped to CPI and $2 per mega litre, Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said today.
Mr McArdle acknowledged the concern expressed by irrigators about the original Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) decision, which saw increases in the water usage charges by approximately $19 per mega litre in Bundaberg.
“Agriculture is part of the four pillar economy, and it was simply not sustainable to have increases up to $19 per mega litre imposed on our farmers,” Mr McArdle said.
“I listened to the concerns of local irrigators who have engaged with their local Members on this matter and have acted to ensure the increase is in line with other channel irrigation schemes.”
Stephen Bennett MP, Member for Bennett said the rebate was vital to local irrigators and believed it was important that the Newman Government continue the process of returning channel irrigation schemes to local control.
“Local irrigators will be able to have more control of their costs into the future and have a real say over their channel irrigation schemes.”
“The Newman Government has key goals, like doubling food production by 2040, fixing tariff problems that impact our farmers, return control of channel irrigation schemes to locals and tackle rising electricity prices,” Mr Bennett said.
Stephen Bennett MP said the rebate only relates to 2012-13 water usage and next year’s prices will continue to be based on Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) recommendations.
“When the actual 2012-13 water usage is known, Sunwater will undertake an assessment of each customer’s water bill to calculate the rebate, without the need for the customer to apply to Sunwater for relief,” Mr Bennett MP said.
“The rebate will be paid to water bills that have been paid in full and calculated on the basis of actual 2012-13 water usage only.”