BRETT Peterson was disappointed when his motion to report on how to charge ratepayers on the quantity of water they use was knocked back by other councillors.
If the review suggested by the deputy mayor was completed it could save the average household $392 on each rates notice, according to figures he released.
Councillor Peterson said the average household was using six units a year, but was given an extra 50 kilolitres for residents to use on the front of their property.
“But (they) are charged a fixed rate for eight units per financial year," he said.
“There is a gap there that needs to be considered.
“I would like to move a motion that the CEO furbish the council with a report on an alternative water charge structure at a workshop meeting on the 20th of January, 2016,” Cr Peterson said.
The motion was seconded by Cr Jean Ferris, but it was then defeated when Cr Anne Seymour, Cr Kim Coghlan, Cr George Fortune and Cr Joyce McCulloch voted against it.
Cr McCulloch later said; “I would have supported it, I just want a report on the fors and against.”
She said the deputy mayor’s “grandstanding” was blinding the issues behind water costs and that he should have raised these issues in a workshop closed to the public the week previously.
“The Mount Isa City Council has not been set up to give accurate readings on water, it’s done on an average,” Cr McCulloch said.
However, the council was replacing current systems with more accurate water readings due to be completed within 18 months, she said.
“Until we get an accurate reading how can we tell the consumer it’s accurate?” Cr McCulloch said.
Mayor Tony McGrady said he was concerned with the suggestion to charge ratepayers by the quantity of units used because it would encourage them to skimp on beautification.
“We’re spending money now to make Mount Isa a more liveable city, the first area of neglect will be the gardens,” he said.
“I’m concerned footpaths and gardens will be the first to go.”
