BASIS FOR RATES AND CHARGES

The Board is a Category 2 Water Authority, under the Queensland Water Act 2000. In accordance to the Water Act 2000 Section 572, parts (2), (4), (5);
‘A category 2 water authority ... may make levy charges on its customers or ratepayers if the authority has an authority area.'

‘A rate may be made and levied on a volumetric basis for water activities carried out ... and if the authority has an authority area, on a property basis for land in the authority area.'

INTEREST ON OVERDUE RATES AND CHARGES

Water Act 2000 Section 574 (1) states;
‘An overdue rate or charge made or levied by a water authority under section 572 bears interest at the annual rate ... of not more than 15%, calculated as simple interest, or if another percentage is prescribed under a regulation-the other percentage.'
For the 12/13 year 15% interest applies to accounts overdue by 60 days or greater.

AREA BASED CHARGE

Basis for Charges

* Cane: to be charged on the base of assessable area as advised to the Board by Sucrogen, unless grower can satisfactorily prove that no crop of any kind was grown on that land at any time during the financial year.
* Other Crops: to be charged on area of crop grown.

Rate per Hectare (GST Free)

* Cane: annual rates on cane properties are subsidised by Sucrogen. the current subsidy is one third of the annual rates per cane property. For 12/13 the grower rate is $82.23/ha and the miller rate is $40.50/ha.
* Other Crops: for 12/13 the rate is $122.73/ha.

IRRIGATION CHARGES

Open Water - Flow Meters (GST Free)
For all open water users in 12/13 the charge is $18.57 per megalitre (Ml). This rate is reviewed on an annual basis.

Open Water - Licence Fees (Incl. GST)
For 12/13 up to and including a 6"pump = $3,000.00 per pump
For 12/13 the fee for an 8"pump = $4,400.00 per pump

This fee does not include the cost of installation materials.

Open Water - Channel (GST Free)
Usage over and above the 8Ml/ha entitlement will be subject to an excess charge of $13.97 per megalitre. This charge will be in addition to the channel charge of $18.57/Ml for usage up to 8Ml per hectare.

WATER ALLOCATION HOLDERS (FORMERLY RIPARIAN PUMPERS)

SunWater has delegated the management of water allocation holders, within the Board's authority area, to the Board. Water allocation holders will be charged fees by the Board on behalf of SunWater as and from the 1 July, 2012 for their water allocations at a rate to be advised by SunWater.

DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL

Burdekin Shire Council urban water usage is calculated annually and charged accordingly at the end of the financial year, on receipt of Council's metered bore readings.

For 12/13 the Burdekin Shire Council's allocation is to be 5,000 megalitres; with an annual fixed charge of $29.23 per megalitre (GST free) for usage up to and including the 5,000 ML.

OVER ENTITLEMENT (EXCESS) AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRICAL USAGE USAGE

For usage in excess of the 5,000 Ml/annum, the charge is to include components towards headworks upgrading and purchase of allocation as follows;

Headworks upgrading = $16.45/Ml

Purchase of allocation = $48.78/Ml

Annual Fixed Charge = $16.23/Ml

Total = $81.46/Ml

NON COMMERCIAL ENTITIES

For 12/13, this charge includes a one off licence fee of $110 (incl. GST) and an annual usage charge of $300. Each application is to be considered on its merits.

RITA ISLAND STOCK & GARDEN SUPPLY

One off licence fee = $500 (GST incl.)
Annual usage charge = $300 (subject to indexation)
One off licence fee for users not pumping out of the pipeline = $110 (GST incl.)
Annual usage charge = $300 (as above).
Pump size is restricted to 1".

EQUIPMENT HIRE (Incl. GST)

Excavator (Ratepayer - 10% discount) - $168.00/hr

Excavator (Non-ratepayer - Flat Rate) - $187.00/hr

OTHER CHARGES (Incl. GST)

Photocopying Charges
Size A4 Black & white = $0.50c per copy
Colour = $0.80c per copy

Size A3 Black & White = $1.00 per copy
Colour = $1.60 per copy

Freedom Of Information (FOI)
Administration charge of $5.50 per 15 mins for each request .

Survey Requests
$500.00 minimum rate. Contract hourly rate applies for larger jobs.

Solicitor Search
$55.00 per title search.