Water and sewerage costs another $90,000

Today we have proof that the Government has failed with its water and sewerage reforms, given it is now resorting to a $90,000 advertising campaign to sell the unsellable.

The Government still refuses to rule out a doubling of water and sewerage charges for many Tasmanians over the next five to seven years, as its own report explains.

Some Tasmanians could pay more for water and sewerage than they will for general rates on their property when full cost recovery is introduced.

The 30% price increase over the next three years is designed to limit the price shocks of moving to full cost recovery. However, the Government fails to understand that these increases themselves are shocking to many Tasmanians.

However, these increases are only the beginning and now the Government is rubbing salt into the wounds by embarking on a taxpayer funded spin campaign to sell the unsellable.

The Government must immediately agree to review the water and sewerage debacle, which they have created, because quite simply Tasmanians in the next five to seven years will not be able to afford to pay for Michael Aird’s poorly thought out, poorly implemented and poorly managed reforms.
Peter Gutwein MP Shadow Treasurer