Water and Sewerage concerns mount
Treasurer describes concerns over prices as a “myth” and fails to accept that full cost recovery would bring more pain
Urgent need for independent review of water and sewerage debacle

The Treasurer is completely out of touch with the concerns of many Tasmanians who are struggling to cope with the increases to the cost of water and sewerage they are being asked to pay.

Today in Parliament the Treasurer has described concerns about cost increases associated with the changes as a myth.

And he has failed to acknowledge that whilst the 30% increase over the next three years will be difficult enough to manage, the real pain will come if full cost recovery is introduced in future years.

The massive increases that Tasmanians would have to pay under a full cost recovery model in future years on average will be around 90% in the North, 56% in the South and 52% in the North west. This fact was kept from Tasmanians for nearly 6 months by the Government.

Some unfortunate ratepayers in a number of municipal areas will require increases of more than 100% on what they paid for water and sewerage last year if full cost recovery is implemented in future years as the Government wants it to be.

Launceston and Dorset councils are hardest hit in the North with greater than 100% increases whilst in the South Sorrell, Central Highlands, Southern Midlands and Tasman are all greater than 100% as well. In the North-West, Burnie and Central Coast ratepayers will receive increase of around 80% and 90% respectively

That level of increase is unacceptable and will mean the final straw for many struggling Tasmanians.

The Government’s reforms have been poorly managed, poorly implemented and will ultimately unfairly financially burden many Tasmanians.

That the Government cannot even accept this, and that it believes the pricing pain is a myth, indicates how out of touch they are with ordinary Tasmanians who are struggling with not only these reforms but also higher energy, MAIB and public transport costs as well.
Peter Gutwein MP Shadow Treasurer