Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke has publically voiced his support for capping water price increases to Consumer Price Index (CPI) levels.

 

Under current State Government legislation, commercial customers who use over 100 kilolitres are exempt from any pricing cap and can face substantially higher charges.

 

“Just about every business in the city uses more than 100kl of water. Whatever can be done to help businesses when our local economy is plainly struggling must be done.’’ Cr Clarke said.

 

“The problem is that even if the retail price cap is extended to everyone, the State Government is still charging outrageous prices for bulk water. Next year, bulk water will go up by 16 per cent on the Gold Coast with further significant increases each year until at least 2017,”

 

Cr Clarke remained adamant that any moves to cap water pricing for commercial users would have a positive effect on the Queensland Government’s ailing approval rating.

 

“I will seek to meet with the Premier as soon as possible. At the very least, I will tell her that her Government would surely enhance their election chances if they agreed to cap their bulk water charges to CPI.”