Tax on farmers: $100,000 water meters proposed
FARMERS can expect to pay up to $100,000 to install new water meters under a Palaszczuk government proposal to improve the measurement of non-urban water use.
The 20 page document titled Proposal for strengthening non-urban water measurement says water entitlement holders will bear all costs relating to installing new meters.
According to the government’s own estimates, the cost of a new water meter ranges from $8000 up to $100,000 a meter. Retrofitting the required telemetry equipment to an existing meter will cost from $500 to $5000, the document says.
Page 14 of the proposal outlines the costs likely to be incurred by farmers.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said while the LNP supported the sustainable use of water through a modern and accurate metering system, the proposed costs represented an unfair new tax on farmers.
“Drought and water security are the number one issues facing Queensland right now,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Slugging farmers up to $100,000 at a time like this shows just how out of touch Labor is with life in regional Queensland.
“Farmers are calling it the worst drought in living memory and they need more support, not another Labor tax.”
According to the proposal, the Rural Water Management Program is strengthening the ways Queensland’s water resources are managed, measured and reported.
– A significant number of meters did not meet national standards.
– Existing meter validation and maintenance processes were flawed.
– Meter reading was done infrequently, resulting in a lack of available information.
– Metering was implemented inconsistently across the state.
The independent panel’s recommendations included enhanced water measurement, regulation and compliance, and information transparency.
“Accurately measuring, recording and reporting water take provides transparency and assurance that water is being appropriately managed and that water entitlement holders are meeting their obligations,” the document reads.
“This makes water meters a critical tool for measuring the take of water.”
Submissions close on December 13.
CLICK HERE to read Proposal for strengthening non-urban water measurement.
