Water meter reading has begun across all Isaac towns ahead of water notices being issued for the period between 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023.
Residents are encouraged to make payment by 5pm on Wednesday, 20 March 2024.
Council introduced the water charges to comply with the Local Government Act 2009.
They are made up of:
- Infrastructure Charge (previously Water Access Charge) that appears on your rates notices issued in March and September and;
- A Consumption Charge that is provided on separate water notices issued six-monthly and is based on the amount of water you use.
Differential pricing for Dysart, Glenden, and Middlemount reflects that fact that Council does not own the raw water infrastructure in these communities or pay for the raw water from a third party.
Infrastructure Charge
Council levies the infrastructure charge as part of the bi-annual rates notice. This charge covers the cost of owning, operating, maintaining and managing the water supply facilities and network in eight communities across Isaac.
For details on the infrastructure charge and how it is calculated, please read Council's Revenue Statement found on our Budget page here.
Consumption Charge
A consumption charge is where you pay for the water you use. Meters are read half-yearly and consumption charges are charged on the water notice issued based on billing periods ending in December and June each financial year.
For details on the consumption charge and how it is calculated, please read Council's Revenue Statement found on our Budget page here.
Ratepayers can sign up to MiWater. This is a handy tool that provides water consumption information. Email and SMS alerts can be set so ratepayers are notified of water leaks and high consumption within days of occurrence.
Ratepayers who have encountered delays with the postal service in their area can register their email address with Council for an additional water notice to be issued electronically. Council encourages ratepayers to update their postal details with Council to ensure water notices arrive on time. Call 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227) to register.
For more details read Council's Revenue Statement found on our Budget page here or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are buying or selling a property in the Isaac region, we suggest contacting your solicitor or conveyancer to ensure they request a rates search from Council prior to settlement. This search includes a special water meter reading and will provide your solicitor or conveyancer with the relevant information to identify and calculate all the water usage and access charges incurred by the previous owner up to the date of settlement. This ensures the purchase price of the property is adjusted according to the charges on the special water meter reading at the time of settlement.
If you are purchasing, please note that when you receive your water bill for your new property, it may still include the water usage and access charges of the previous owner (the charges will vary depending on when you purchased the property). If charges are applicable when you receive the new account, these charges will be payable by you, as you should have already been reimbursed for the previous owner’s charges in the settlement process outlined above. The calculations for the reimbursement are detailed on the Settlement Statement provided by your solicitor or conveyancer. Contact your solicitor or conveyancer for further questions.
Adjustment of rates and/or any loss of discount on sales is a matter for settlement between the parties concerned and is NOT the responsibility of Council.