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From reporter Tina Law:
More than 15,000 Christchurch residents have now been stung with a bill for using too much water this summer.
The average bill is $84, but one Woolston property has managed to rack up $2884 worth of excess water charges.
The property has used 2.1 million litres of … View moreFrom reporter Tina Law:
More than 15,000 Christchurch residents have now been stung with a bill for using too much water this summer.
The average bill is $84, but one Woolston property has managed to rack up $2884 worth of excess water charges.
The property has used 2.1 million litres of water across the quarter, which amounts to an average of 23,743 litres each day for roughly 90 days – about 34 times more than the 700-litre daily allowance.
A property in Sumner property received a $1622 bill after churning through about 12,300 litres of water each day between October and January.
In October, the Christchurch City Council started charging people a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit every quarter, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes. The average residential use is about 540 litres.
The charges were designed to reduce extreme demand on the network, particularly over summer.
Council resources general manager Leah Scales said last month, anyone with a bill in the hundreds of dollars should check for leaks.
“If they identify and fix that leak they will be eligible for a remission of the charges.”
The council did not say last week how many people had paid their bill, but in mid-March it said 812 had already paid.
People have eight weeks to pay their excess water bill, with the first invoices due later this month.
The charges have sparked criticism from some residents, with some refusing to pay and one man, Phil Yarrall has not mown his grass verge since October in protest against the charge.
Yarrall, who has yet to receive a bill, believes it is discriminatory, arbitrary in its application and nothing more than a creeping tax.
In response to public criticism the council is consulting the public as part of its draft annual plan on whether it should increase the daily allowance from 700 litres to 900 litres.
Others have been upset that about 25,365 homes are exempt from the water charge because they share a water meter with their neighbours.
However, Scales said 194 properties out of the 25,365 with shared water meters would have received a bill – less than 1% of the total.
Meters would be installed in those properties first.
Letters were sent to the city’s top water users last year, encouraging them to check their properties for leaks before the charges came into place.
Some households could be eligible for a remission, including families with more than eight members, if the high use is due to a personal medical condition and if the high use was caused by a leak that was repaired promptly.
Water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges were brought in, saving millions of litres
However, the council estimates about 38 million litres of water a day is lost from the city’s pipes on public and private land – about 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth.
Despite efforts by the council to reduce leaks in recent years, the amount of water lost keeps going up and now represents 27% of all water use, up from 18% in 2018.
Our Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks… View moreOur Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks and the free budget advice they provide. Plus so much more!
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for onion recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by April 20, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener.
Over 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power … View moreOver 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!
Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business… View moreSpoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business has shipped hundreds of spring and summer flowering bulbs and tubers all over New Zealand from their base near Feilding.
Offer valid until 11:59pm 14 May 2023. For full terms and conditions click here.
Happy Mother’s Day
Hi everyone
We’ve got some great items in store all ready waiting for you. Pop in Easter Saturday 10.00am and say hi to the team.
Open Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm.
683 Ferry Road, behind Domino’s.
In previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our … View moreIn previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our communities and have you noticed it in yours?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
The NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe … View moreThe NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe you’d like to bundle and get your first 2 months of broadband FREE with Electric Kiwi! Or sink your teeth into a $100 welcome credit with Flick.
There is more so hop to it Neighbours before they go!
Hi all, looking to buy any Vietnamese currency that people may have laying around from previous trips. Going to be heading over in a few months.
Bring out the best in your home.
Get 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops!
Hurry Resene sale ends Tuesday 11th April.
Shop online at shop.resene.co.nz or visit your local Resene ColorShop.
Hi everyone
We’ve got some lovely treasures and treats in store for the long weekend.
We’re open Tuesday - Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm, and Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday. Reopening Tuesday 11th April @ 9.00am.
683 Ferry Road, behind Domino’s.
Linwood Service Centre is now a one-stop shop for people wanting to post letters and pay bills, as well as access Council customer services.
The Council has been working with NZ Post to ensure residents in the Linwood area continue to have easy access to postal and bill paying services.
The … View moreLinwood Service Centre is now a one-stop shop for people wanting to post letters and pay bills, as well as access Council customer services.
The Council has been working with NZ Post to ensure residents in the Linwood area continue to have easy access to postal and bill paying services.
The Linwood Service Centre is located in the Linwood Library upstairs in Eastgate Mall, 20 Buckleys Road, Linwood. The Service Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
On a Tuesday our volunteers from Citizens Advice Bureau are also in the library from 11am-2pm. If you have an issue and you need help, just pop on in.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger and city councillor Sam MacDonald will host a public meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the council’s latest annual plan, property valuations, Three Waters and housing intensification.
“Part of rebuilding trust and confidence in council is being out in the … View moreChristchurch mayor Phil Mauger and city councillor Sam MacDonald will host a public meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the council’s latest annual plan, property valuations, Three Waters and housing intensification.
“Part of rebuilding trust and confidence in council is being out in the community, answering questions and understanding people’s concerns,” Mauger said.
MacDonald said the latest annual plan had been “particularly challenging”, with interest rates, inflation and insurance adding significant pressure to the council budget.
“We have worked hard to minimise the impact to below inflation,” he said.
”We are hopeful we will get a lot of people along, the issues being discussed impact everybody.”
The meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday at St Christopher’s Church, Avonhead Rd.
This outlines what Christchurch City Council plans to spend on projects and day-to-day services in the next year and how we'll pay for it.
Find out more and have your say by Monday 10 April.
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