Wellington East residents worry about cost of new water scheme
A Coorong council plan to get SA Water to provide potable water to the fast-growing community has been positively received – with one important proviso.
Stories create community – that’s why this recent story is now free to read. You can help Murray Bridge News tell our community’s stories by subscribing today.
Most Wellington East residents are in favour of an upgrade to the community’s water supply – they’re just worried about how much it might cost them.
That was the vibe at a public meeting about the subject last Thursday night.
About 30 people gathered at the Wellington Hall to hear Coorong council capital projects manager James Clarke explain why the project was needed – and why their water bills would more than double.
Two factors were at play, he said:
- There was a risk to human health from the non-potable water the council supplied to Wellington East properties
- The Essential Services Commission of South Australia was all but certain to order the council to increase the fees it charged for that supply
Council staff estimated that it would be cheaper, and better, to connect Wellington East to the SA Water main running along the Princes Highway.
That had only become a possibility since the main was built during the Millennium Drought.
Several residents criticised the council for starting a public conversation about the idea without knowing for sure how much it would cost.
But CEO Bridget Mather said the council had wanted to gauge people’s interest in the project before spending too much staff time on it – after all, that time would cost money, too.
At least one resident was angry that he’d been required to $20,000 on rainwater tanks 20 years ago, tanks he’d no longer need if mains water were available.
Stories create community. You can help Murray Bridge News tell our community’s stories.
Still, SA Water’s representative at the meeting noted that having a mains connection would mean people could apply for hardship-related relief from their water bills, something they couldn’t do at the moment.
A few residents were happy to voice their support.
“The only purpose of government is to deal with market failures, and potable water is essential to life,” one said.
“Why should we, in this isolated, expensive-rates area, not have potable water?
“I’d like you to get on with the job.”
What happens next?
If residents approve the general idea of an SA Water connection, the council will draw up a more detailed budget for the project, have it independently audited, start a conversation about funding with the state government, and come up with a final cost to residents.
Residents would then be asked, in about August of this year, for a final yes/no decision.
None of the 200 or so homes at Wellington East would likely be connected to any new water system until the end of 2025.
Staff acknowledged that they would need to come up with a special arrangement for anyone building a new property in the area before then – after all, it would be silly to require people to install huge rainwater tanks that might no longer be needed in future.
Residents have until February 5 to give their feedback.
- Have your say: Complete the survey at www.surveymonkey.com by 9am on February 5.
- More information: Visit www.coorong.sa.gov.au, call James Clarke on 1300 785 277 or email council@coorong.sa.gov.au.
