Fees for Plumbing Devices
During Council’s Ordinary meeting held on Wednesday 20 November 2024
Councillors voted unanimously to ensure that residential properties with onsite sewerage treatment plants will not be charged a fee from Council.
Mayor Duff said, “these property owners already pay a fee to the plumbers, to have their plants serviced quarterly, six monthly or annually depending on their device and they should not have to pay another fee on top of that to Council. The fees paid to plumbers are not passed on to Council.”
Council will be working closely with the plumbers asking them to send their service records to Council to ensure that these devices are being serviced as they should be and to ensure that Council’s data base is kept up to date.
The Commercial users will however be charged a fee for their devices to ensure that Council’s records are updated. These commercial users with RPZ valves will have an annual fee to pay as well as an application fee for any new Backflow Prevention Devices.
The requirement for Queensland local governments to maintain registers of backflow prevention devices and onsite sewerage treatment plants is essential for safeguarding public health and the environment. By ensuring compliance and regular maintenance of these systems, Councils can reduce risks associated with water contamination and wastewater management.
The bulk letters being distributed without first being signed off by the Chief Executive Officer has caused Council to also look closely at the policy around bulk mail outs. The media policy was updated at Council’s November General Meeting stating that any bulk mailout must be approved by the Chief Executive Officer before being sent out.
Mayor Duff said “I am pleased to see that this matter has been rectified and I will be working closely with the Chief Executive Officer to get the message out to ensure that all of the residents who received the letters are informed that they will not be charged a fee from Council if they have an onsite sewerage treatment plant.”
For further information contact Council on 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.
