33
Wednesday, February 24, 1971
The proposed changes would be brought into effect from meter
readings taken from July 1 onwards. As meters were read quarterly, this
meant that no one would pay the new charge for any water consumed prior
to the announcement of the change, though some would enjoy water at the
present rate rather longer than others.
He felt that a "crash" meter-reading programme over a limited
period was no longer feasible with 418,000 meters in use. This delayed
introduction would not apply to shipping or building. Special supply and
charging arrangements were in force for them, and it was proposed to
apply the new rates from April 1.
On the assumption that the new rates would have no effect on
consumption, including the rate of increase in consumption, they would
bring in additional revenue from water in 1971/72 of $66 million, if applied
for the full year, equally divided between domestic and commercial users.
The delayed start would reduce that to 944 million, but Sir John proposed
24.0
to increase the estimate by million only.
He continued: "The price of water is set by the Governor in Council
by regulation. The appropriate amendment to the First Schedule of the waterworks
Regulations will be made at an early date.
"I can give an assurance that these charges will not be increased
again before the end of 1976, and I have hopes that we will be able to maintain
them for a further four or five years thereafter, unless there is an extraordinary
increase in operating costs or demand falls well below forecast levels."
/He noted