10 June 2020
Southern Downs Regional Council staff and Councillors have been working hard amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to create a budget for 2020/21 that will support residents and local businesses to recover quickly.
Council is keenly aware that business closures and stagnant industries have caused financial hardship for a number residents who live and work on the Southern Downs. Which is why Council would like to remind residents that the SEQ bulk water price rise, announced by the State Government, will not affect the Southern Downs.
This price increase is not relevant to the Southern Downs. It is only relevant to South East Queensland communities reliant on the State’s SEQ water grid. Southern Downs Regional Council is not currently connected to the SEQ water grid and as such, will not be affected by this price raise.
Councillor for Water Stephen Tancred urged residents not to be concerned about water costs recently reported.
“It’s important for the correct information to get out there. The last thing we want is for residents to feel stressed or concerned over something that doesn’t affect them. The increase of the cost of bulk water prices by the State Government is not going to affect residents of the Southern Downs because we simply aren’t part of that network” said Councillor Stephen Tancred.
“Council saw the commentary on media sites and Facebook and we just want to reassure you, this isn’t a local government issue here in the Southern Downs region. We don’t want that misinformation creating worry.”
For more information specifically regarding water, residents can visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/water-wastewater/water-update.
Alternatively, for all the latest Council news and information, visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au, use the MySDRC app, or contact Council’s customer service team on 1300 MY SDRC or 1300 697 372.
This correction has been issued due to speculation by media and residents that this prise rise will cause hardships to struggling communities within our region. Council would like to reiterate again, this is not the case.