I just can't believe it

[Ivan]

Just heard on the news that Campbell Newman (sp?) has stated that all businesses affected by the flood will be given a $100 rebate on their rates to help pay for the water they use during the cleanup!!!
WTF I am so angry. They should tell all those affected that they will get free rates and water until the cleanup is complete. Some have lost all their possessions and even worse some have lost their lives. Bills for water is the last thing they need.
I can't believe that the government run water services are going to charge people for water used to clean their homes and businesses!!!!

Ivan

[miky]

Ummm... if it is a rebate then they are not being charged.
In effect they are getting money to help clean up.

Has one of us missed the point here?


.

[DeeJay]

I think its a good move & should be encouraged. If one Gov't Dept starts giving ( effectively) handouts, then others might join in & follow suit.
Rebates on rates, no GST on replacement equipment etc, who knows?

[rockyroad]

Its more generous then what Rockhampton council offered its residents in regards to water bills when the city faced bushfires.

They needed water to save their properties and still had to pay for extra water.

[Ivan]

We are talking about knocking a $100 off the next rates bill. I know that you have the idea of user pays over here, but I think that is just hitting people when they are down.
We are not talking about a refund here!!

Ivan

[Shonky]

Umm... have you considered the financial implications the floods will have on Local Government's abilities to provide services / rebuild infrastructure etc?

Every one is down, and nobodys kicking. Disasters don't just affect individuals and small business, although perhaps the emotional cost is higher.

Sounds like a reasonable helping hand to me...

[Celtoid]

Doesn't help when the State is already broke.....:(

Taxes, taxes, taxes....however you wrap them, they are still taxes....[bawl]

[UncleHo]

Capt Bligh adjusts speed cameras error factor to 0.1% :mad: rego Uuuppp!

[Celtoid]

Capt Bligh adjusts speed cameras error factor to 0.1% :mad: rego Uuuppp!

Just got one of those damn photos....what's the error factor in a D4?....oops I think it works the other way doesn't it.....:(

[seano87]

Capt Bligh adjusts speed cameras error factor to 0.1% :mad: rego Uuuppp!

Allegedly (just to add to the I can't believe it theme even further), the police were sitting just beyond a bridge over the river, coming out of Ipswich, taking pics of anyone speeding. Apparently there is no doubt about what was going on, they has the sign up stating there was a speed camera, and police were sitting in a van with radar.

Asshole of the century award?

[RobHay]

We are talking about knocking a $100 off the next rates bill. I know that you have the idea of user pays over here, but I think that is just hitting people when they are down.
We are not talking about a refund here!!

Ivan
We have gone from paying virtually nothing for water (it was included in our rates...of course you paid if you used over the allocation) to paying around $1300.00 just for water....rates are on top.....now tell me that this is not a money making scam.

[PhilipA]

$1300.00 just for water....rates are on top.....

Hol Moly batman!!!
I pay $65 on the Central Coast of NSW and think its a rip off.
Then I do have a tank , no pool and use only about 120L per person per day.
Regards Philip A

[cartm58]

Don't come to Perth then we paid $1200 this year for water

[Shonky]

Quite aside from my prior post - holy **** thats expensive! :eek2:

[VladTepes]

and they reckon Anna Bligh might get re-elected on teh strength of her "performance" in the last few days.

God help us !

[87County]

and they reckon Anna Bligh might get re-elected on teh strength of her "performance" in the last few days.

God help us !

...... ??

certainly has aquitted herself very well -

congratulations on having a person there who can demonstrate leadership !

[isuzurover]

Don't come to Perth then we paid $1200 this year for water

Something not right there if you are a domestic user.

We pay about $25 pa for water in Perth.

Then there are water rates - which are a fixed amount and pay for the privilege of having water and sewerage connected. But these charges don't change if you use 0l or 100 Gl.

[Barra1]

...... ??

certainly has presented herself very well -

congratulations on having a person there who can demonstrate leadership !

Based on what I have seen over the past few days I have to agree with you.

The lady has certainly shown leadership when true leadership was needed.

[PhilipA]

There was a cartoon in the SMH this morning showing a very large Anna Bligh dwarfing a podium, with a tiny Julia Gillard about half way up.
Very Apt.
Regards Philip A
Cartoons | National Times (http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/cartoons)

[ramblingboy42]

did you know that you can have your water supply disconnected? you can then buy it yourself. youll bloody whinge then.......
fair dinkum guys, bleating and crying about water costs......what do you think is involved in getting water to your homes......do you think its a free service?
giving a $100 rebate to all Brisbane ratepayers is a huge call.....work out what that costs, I'm not going to do it for you........

[isuzurover]

giving a $100 rebate to all Brisbane ratepayers is a huge call.....work out what that costs, I'm not going to do it for you........

I agree.

What has also not been mentioned is that there will be a 30 day moritorium on any council rates, fees, fines, etc - whether overdue or about to be due.

You are wrong on the disconnection thing though. You have to pay regardless, and these days you aren't allowed to be disconnected from the sewer. My great grandfather used to live at manly. When they finally extended the water and sewers out that far, he decided not to get connected as he was a tightarse and didn't want to pay water and sewerage rates. He was irate when council started sending him bills anyway. You had to pay if the lines were running past your property - whether connected or not.

[ramblingboy42]

I agree.

What has also not been mentioned is that there will be a 30 day moritorium on any council rates, fees, fines, etc - whether overdue or about to be due.

You are wrong on the disconnection thing though. You have to pay regardless, and these days you aren't allowed to be disconnected from the sewer. My great grandfather used to live at manly. When they finally extended the water and sewers out that far, he decided not to get connected as he was a tightarse and didn't want to pay water and sewerage rates. He was irate when council started sending him bills anyway. You had to pay if the lines were running past your property - whether connected or not.

thank you, I stand corrected, just dont use any from your meter...........

[George130]

We pay $65 per meter for the priveledge of being able to pay for water. There is no alotment of water so you pay for all you use. Those prices don't sound that high. As for sewer it is sceduled to be rolled out to us in 2005:angel:. Off the record have benn told not in my lifetime for sewer, storm water or gutters but they will keep the one street light up here working for now.

[Hymie]

Its more generous then what Rockhampton council offered its residents in regards to water bills when the city faced bushfires.

They needed water to save their properties and still had to pay for extra water.

When the 06/07 Great Divide Fires came through Erica-Rawson we had our water restricted, even though we paid for a fire service with a Hydrant.