❓ Mr Brown questions a water price increase, the Minister explains it's a correction after a temporary adjustment and not a 'massive' increase, and clarifies customer service powers.
AnsweredQoN 320Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Further to question on notice No. 2072 of 2000, did the Minister/Government understand the cost of water consumption above 150KL but below 165KL increased in the 1999-00 financial year by 64.5%? (2) Did the Government/Minister examine any alternatives to avoid this massive increase? (3) If not, why not? (4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 September 2000
Response time
27 days
(1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(2) Did the Government/Minister examine any alternatives to avoid this massive increase? (3) If not, why not? (4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(3) If not, why not? (4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(2) Did the Government/Minister examine any alternatives to avoid this massive increase? (3) If not, why not? (4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(3) If not, why not? (4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(4) If so, what alternatives were examined? (5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(5) Why were such alternatives not implemented? (6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(6) Did the Minister say in his previous answer that customers experiencing difficulties in paying their water consumption accounts may wish to discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's customer service representatives? (7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(7) Are these representatives authorised to waive/cancel certain amounts of accounts? (8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
(8) Exactly what powers do these customer service representatives have to make water consumption accounts more affordable for consumers? Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
Answered on 5 September 2000 The Minister Replied: (1-5) Yes. As explained in my response to question on notice No. 2072, the pricing taper of 165kl applied for the 1998/99 financial year only, to adjust for the effects of the introduction of the Average Daily Usage (ADU) billing system. In effect customers received an additional 15kl at the lowest taper for that year. When the ADU system was dropped in early 1999, there was no reason to maintain the taper at 165kl and it reverted to 150kl for 1999/2000. The increase in the charge for consumption between 150 and 165 kilolitres represents an increase of 3.78% ($7.19) in the water bill for a customer using exactly 165 kilolitres and even less for consumption greater than 165 kilolitres. Given the minimal increase in the total consumption cost for the average customer for 1999/2000, examination of alternatives was not necessary. Any customer experiencing difficulty paying their consumption accounts due to the change in tapers, or for any other reason, should discuss the matter with the Water Corporation's Customer Service Representatives. (6) Yes (7) Customer Service Representatives are authorised to change or waive interest charges. (8) Customer Service Representatives are able to negotiate payment arrangements to assist customers meet their obligation to pay for services provided.
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