Published Monday, 23 July, 2007 at 09:32 AM

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
COUNCILS ASKED HOW TO HURT SERIAL WATER WASTERS
July 22, 2007
Councils across south-east Queensland are being asked how to further punish chronic high water users in an options paper that recommends steps including new fines, cutting water pressure to offending households or steep price increases, Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh welcomed the options paper, prepared by the Queensland Water Commission and sent on Friday to the 12 SEQ councils on Level 5 restrictions.
“The people of south-east Queensland are sick and tired of the selfish minority who are ignoring the fact we are in the depths of drought,” she said.
“We’ve beefed up fines for people breaching Level 5 restrictions and now we’re asking the councils to help us crack down even further.
“A the end of the day it is the councils that have to enforce water penalties. We’re asking them what powers they need to wield the big stick.
“These penalties would apply to people whose meter readings show they are doing nothing to cut their water use.”
Ms Bligh said options to be considered included fines for people with consistent high water readings and extending penalties to cover rental tenants. The paper also asks for input on what level of use would trigger the new penalties.
Fines under discussion are the same as those for breaching other water restrictions, from $150 for a first offence rising to $1050 for repeated breaches.
Restrictors that can cut water flow to households from an average 20-30 litres per minute to as little as 5LPM are another option.
“Five litres a minute will allow hygiene standards to be met while making life uncomfortable for serial water cheats,” Ms Bligh said.
Councils also are being asked whether steep increases in the cost of water from less than $1KL to as much as $10KL could deter repeat heavy users. “This has some advantages but wouldn’t stop wealthier people prepared to pay the difference,” she said.
Ms Bligh said giving council officers unlimited rights to enter properties also had been proposed. “However, given people’s right to privacy the councils would have to convince me this is necessary, particularly if water cheats can be detected through their meter readings.
“Issues such as privacy and what checks and balances would be in place would need to looked at very closely.”
She said the QWC’s options paper rejected plans by some councils to name and shame offenders, for fears it could encourage vigilante-style attacks and target otherwise law-abiding people who had a valid reason why they were using so much water, such as an undetected leak.
More information: Deputy Premier’s Office, Scott Dixon 0448 614420.
Councils across south-east Queensland are being asked how to further punish chronic high water users in an options paper that recommends steps including new fines, cutting water pressure to offending households or steep price increases, Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh welcomed the options paper, prepared by the Queensland Water Commission and sent on Friday to the 12 SEQ councils on Level 5 restrictions.
“The people of south-east Queensland are sick and tired of the selfish minority who are ignoring the fact we are in the depths of drought,” she said.
“We’ve beefed up fines for people breaching Level 5 restrictions and now we’re asking the councils to help us crack down even further.
“A the end of the day it is the councils that have to enforce water penalties. We’re asking them what powers they need to wield the big stick.
“These penalties would apply to people whose meter readings show they are doing nothing to cut their water use.”
Ms Bligh said options to be considered included fines for people with consistent high water readings and extending penalties to cover rental tenants. The paper also asks for input on what level of use would trigger the new penalties.
Fines under discussion are the same as those for breaching other water restrictions, from $150 for a first offence rising to $1050 for repeated breaches.
Restrictors that can cut water flow to households from an average 20-30 litres per minute to as little as 5LPM are another option.
“Five litres a minute will allow hygiene standards to be met while making life uncomfortable for serial water cheats,” Ms Bligh said.
Councils also are being asked whether steep increases in the cost of water from less than $1KL to as much as $10KL could deter repeat heavy users. “This has some advantages but wouldn’t stop wealthier people prepared to pay the difference,” she said.
Ms Bligh said giving council officers unlimited rights to enter properties also had been proposed. “However, given people’s right to privacy the councils would have to convince me this is necessary, particularly if water cheats can be detected through their meter readings.
“Issues such as privacy and what checks and balances would be in place would need to looked at very closely.”
She said the QWC’s options paper rejected plans by some councils to name and shame offenders, for fears it could encourage vigilante-style attacks and target otherwise law-abiding people who had a valid reason why they were using so much water, such as an undetected leak.
More information: Deputy Premier’s Office, Scott Dixon 0448 614420.