IN A bid to keep the public parks in good condition, the council has reduced its water charges for the sports and recreation department. It was pitched "as a form of community service obligation" by sports and recreation manager Paul Kelly as he asked the councillors to reduce the amount his department is charged for the use of drinking water in public park maintenance. Previously, the department was charged within a tiered structure which meant the price per kilolitre was ratcheted up depending on the volume of drinking water used throughout the year. READ MORE: However, the councillors voted unanimously in favour of reducing it to the single lowest rate of charge, regardless of usage, in order to save the sports and recreation department more than $80,000 a year. While the council does use bore water on many public parks and sporting fields, Mr Kelly's report to the council said his department was still effected. The report said the department was going to be $150,000 over budget in this financial year. Up until April 30, it had used more than 275,000 kilolitres of water costing $477,579.82 under the old tiered structure. "Despite the above measures being implemented, the sports and recreation division is still significantly impacted by the current tiered charging structure, which is applied to potable water consumption at more than 200 other open space sites across the council area," he said. Councillors agreed it was important to maintain public amenity. Mayor Col Murray harked back to a comment made by Russel Webb which he deemed relevant. "[He] made a pretty valid point a few months back where he said farmers will like to keep a few patches of lawn because it helps provide a bit of mental relief when they come home from a day in the paddock," Cr Murray said. "I think that analogy could be extended to the city." Support the local news that keeps you informed - subscribe today Have your say. Click this link to send a letter to the editor
WATERED DOWN: Sports and recreation manager Paul Kelly in Bicentennial Park. Photo: Peter Hardin. 110419PHB004
IN A bid to keep the public parks in good condition, the council has reduced its water charges for the sports and recreation department.
It was pitched "as a form of community service obligation" by sports and recreation manager Paul Kelly as he asked the councillors to reduce the amount his department is charged for the use of drinking water in public park maintenance.
Previously, the department was charged within a tiered structure which meant the price per kilolitre was ratcheted up depending on the volume of drinking water used throughout the year.
However, the councillors voted unanimously in favour of reducing it to the single lowest rate of charge, regardless of usage, in order to save the sports and recreation department more than $80,000 a year.
While the council does use bore water on many public parks and sporting fields, Mr Kelly's report to the council said his department was still effected.
The report said the department was going to be $150,000 over budget in this financial year.
Up until April 30, it had used more than 275,000 kilolitres of water costing $477,579.82 under the old tiered structure.
"Despite the above measures being implemented, the sports and recreation division is still significantly impacted by the current tiered charging structure, which is applied to potable water consumption at more than 200 other open space sites across the council area," he said.
Councillors agreed it was important to maintain public amenity.
Mayor Col Murray harked back to a comment made by Russel Webb which he deemed relevant.
"[He] made a pretty valid point a few months back where he said farmers will like to keep a few patches of lawn because it helps provide a bit of mental relief when they come home from a day in the paddock," Cr Murray said.
"I think that analogy could be extended to the city."
