XN000022-1971-02-24 — Page 33

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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

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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