Update 11.30am: Unitywater intends to issue a statement later today regarding today’s announcement from Anna Bligh on water reform.
Council could get its water entity back stopping the blame game between Moreton Bay Regional Council and the state government.
Council could get its water entity back stopping the blame game between Moreton Bay Regional Council and the state government.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today announced the state government will disband the distribution and retailing structures it set up as part of its water reforms.
-More to come shortly
Councils would have the option of withdrawing from the three council-owned water utilities, Allconnex, Queensland Urban Utilities and Unitywater, and could decide to directly charge ratepayers for water, she said.
“This means that councils who wish to return to their previous structure will be able to do so,” Ms Bligh said.
Councils and the state government have been involved in a long-running war of words over the impact of sharply rising water bills on southeast Queensland residents.
Council have pointed to government's big increases in bulk water costs, while the state government has accused council-owned retailers of price-gouging. De facto Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman had flagged moves to tackle water prices as part of his election pitch.
The move to allow councils to opt out of the current water utilities if they wish to do so is designed to sheet home political responsibility to local governments.
“This means councils will be solely responsible for the price of water sold to their ratepayers,” Ms Bligh said today.
“We have listened to ratepayers across the southeast, ratepayers say enough is enough, we say enough is enough, and we're taking this action today.”
