Media Release

Thursday, 29 May 2008

Councillor Dick Quax disappointed with wastewater charges

Cr Dick Quax says that he is disappointed at the outcome of the Manukau City Council decision last night to continue with fixed wastewater charges for residential users.

The result will be a frustration to the many thousands of consumers who signed a petition asking Council to adopt a charge for wastewater based on the amount used.

"Unfortunately those calls from our community fell on deaf ears and now small users who use as little a $100 or less a year on water will be charged $418 a year to send it down the plug hole."

"What the Council has done is to make small consumers of water subsidise large users."

The council's own water company, Manukau Water Limited recommended to Council that they adopt a combination of fixed and volumetric charges for residential consumers.

Ends

Background:

How they voted:

For fixed rate of $418.

Mayor Brown

Deputy Mayor Troup

Cr Newman

Cr Filipaina

Cr Collings

Cr Anae

Cr Graham

Cr Stewart

Cr Walker

For fixed ($200) and volumetric

Cr Quax

Cr Burrill

Cr Candy

Cr Ross

Cr Wichman

Cr Brown

Cr Taylor

ENDS