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From reporter Tina Law:
Hundreds of Christchurch residents have already paid their water bills, as the number of invoices sent out has more than doubled in two weeks.
Some 9765 households have now received a bill for using too much water – a 150% increase on two weeks ago when 3913 bills … View moreFrom reporter Tina Law:
Hundreds of Christchurch residents have already paid their water bills, as the number of invoices sent out has more than doubled in two weeks.
Some 9765 households have now received a bill for using too much water – a 150% increase on two weeks ago when 3913 bills had been sent.
The number will grow each week as more meters are read, city council resources general manager Leah Scales said.
People have eight weeks to pay their excess water bill, with the first invoices due in April, and 812 have already paid.
However, some are refusing to, including Huntsbury residents Heather and Randal Law.
The couple received a bill for $45.09 after using an average of 1041 litres of water a day over 98 days.
Heather Law said she would “definitely not” pay the bill.
She said she would if it was averaged out across an entire year, rather than over a three-month period, and if the council refunded her when she used under the limit during the winter.
“I water the garden in the summer. I have a vegetable garden and a flower garden and I’m not going to stop watering it.”
The pair operate a small Airbnb at their property and guests always comment on their “beautiful garden”, Randal Law said.
He said he would be invoicing the council $45.09 for his promotion of the Garden City – the same amount as their bill to him.
“If they are going to charge me a stupid bill, I am going to be equally stupid.”
They did not think it was fair that almost a quarter (25,365) of Christchurch households could not be charged because they share a meter.
The pair are not alone in their opposition to the new charge.
Linwood man Phil Yarrall has not mown his grass verge since October in protest against the charge. He believes it is discriminatory, arbitrary in its application and nothing more than a creeping tax.
Yarrall said this week he had yet to receive a bill, but expected one to arrive soon.
Mayor Phil Mauger, who has publicly labelled the charge “unfair” and voted against its introduction, said if residents receive a bill they should pay it, but he hoped respite was on its way in the form of an increase to the daily limit.
Under the existing rules people are being charged a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes.
Bills have not been sent out for charges of $25 or less, so people have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill under the current rule.
However, 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.
Any change would not be put in place until July, so would not affect households that receive bills before then.
The charge came into force in October, after being consulted on twice. It was introduced to help reduce the extreme demand on the council’s water supply network over summer.
If this could be achieved, the council would not have to spend as much money upgrading and building new infrastructure.
Water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges were brought in, saving millions of litres.
Cashmere resident Graeme Niles, who adopted a number of water-saving techniques this summer, said he had managed to keep under the 700 litre limit, clocking up an average of 645 litres, despite his expansive garden.
Scales said any inequity around shared meters was not accurate, because only 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.
If people do not pay the bill they face a 7% penalty and the council could use debt collection services.
Our 2023 Local Business Hero Awards nomination phase closes on Sunday. Neighbours - you only have a few more days to nominate a favourite local business to give them a chance to win an incredible $10,000 package.
Show your support for your local today by nominating them to be this year's … View moreOur 2023 Local Business Hero Awards nomination phase closes on Sunday. Neighbours - you only have a few more days to nominate a favourite local business to give them a chance to win an incredible $10,000 package.
Show your support for your local today by nominating them to be this year's Prospa Local Business Hero!
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Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens, we prepare for adverse events, so you don’t have to. In an emergency, we’ll take care of everything, to ensure sure that you and those you treasure most have exactly what you need.
Rest assured, … View moreNothing is less predictable than the weather.
Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens, we prepare for adverse events, so you don’t have to. In an emergency, we’ll take care of everything, to ensure sure that you and those you treasure most have exactly what you need.
Rest assured, you’re in safe hands.
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Recently serviced -Perfect condition - no scratches… View moreCarbon Fibre Step Through frame - bike with battery 22.8kg. Lighter than most ebikes so very comfortable to ride.
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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.
In 1999, World Poetry Day was introduced, with the aim of promoting the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry around the world.
It is an opportunity to appreciate the power of poetry and how it can capture the creative spirit of the human mind.
In 1999, World Poetry Day was introduced, with the aim of promoting the reading, writing, publishing, and teaching of poetry around the world.
It is an opportunity to appreciate the power of poetry and how it can capture the creative spirit of the human mind.
It is Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) awareness week from 20th to 26th March.
We are a nationwide, but locally based, community organisation. Our volunteers are here to help people to know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. We … View moreIt is Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) awareness week from 20th to 26th March.
We are a nationwide, but locally based, community organisation. Our volunteers are here to help people to know and understand their rights and obligations, and how to use this information to get the best outcomes. We provide people with the confidence and support they need to take action.
You don’t have to be a Citizen to use us and this week we are celebrating the diversity and multiculturalism within our service. If you would like help in your language, call our freephone number 0800 367 222, or visit your local CAB, and let us know what language speaker you require. Language should not be a barrier to getting the information and advice you need.
Find out more about CAB, what we do and what it's like volunteering. Click on the link to go to the podcast
AEA holds regular online meetings and welcomes newcomers from all over the world. Attendance at meetings helps members feel a part of the fellowship. Members share how AEA has worked for them and the difference it is making in their lives.
A provocative and breath-taking wakeup call told through video and live music.
I complained about the excess usage charge as it was never 'fair' and in the back of my mind, I thought that it has been the council's responsibility to supply it to us free of charge, which has now turned into the 1st 700lpd, as it is paid for in with our rates.
The fact that some … View moreI complained about the excess usage charge as it was never 'fair' and in the back of my mind, I thought that it has been the council's responsibility to supply it to us free of charge, which has now turned into the 1st 700lpd, as it is paid for in with our rates.
The fact that some use small amounts and others a huge amount, brings the 'fairness' issue to the forefront.
This topic has made me rethink and come up with another system.:
The council drops part of the rates pertaining to water supply and treatment and instead, we all pay for what we use via the meter - 'User pays'- no arguments.
The people who do not have meters are charged an average, +25% to encourage them to get a meter installed
The boot is now on the other foot but with fewer problems and whatever you use, you pay for, just like electricity.
Having written this, I am wondering if this was not the plan all along. However it does not matter if it was or was not, I can not think of a fairer system.
Remember for the "Water is free" brigade, we are not paying for the water, only pumping up from the Aquifer, treatment, and supply to the properties
I am sure some will disagree.
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