Overview

Tamworth Regional Councils Reduction in Water Consumption Charges Policy (Policy) authorises staff to process reductions in water consumption charges if certain criteria are met.

With the ongoing roll out of the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) devices the policy can no longer be applied in certain situations.

To address this issue, it is proposed to change the current Policy.

At present the Policy reads:

1. FOR INCREASES WHICH THE PROPERTY OWNER IS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN

1.1 Meter Test

A property owner requesting a reduction in water charges due to an unexplained increase in water consumption, must first pay for a meter test to ensure the water meter is reading accurately. See Council Policy Water – Stopped or Inaccurate Water Meters.

To the following (changes are shown in italics and highlighted).

1. FOR INCREASES WHICH THE PROPERTY OWNER IS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN

1.1 Meter Test

A property owner requesting a reduction in water charges due to an unexplained increase in water consumption must first pay for a meter test to ensure the water meter is reading accurately – See Council Policy Water – Stopped or Inaccurate Water Meters, except where the consumption is based on the last reading of the old manual meter servicing the property. In this circumstance Council will waive the necessity of having the old meter tested.

At present the Policy reads:

5. LIMIT ON WHEN CLAIMS CAN BE MADE

Property owners must make a claim for reduction in water consumption charges within 3 months (90 days) of the date of Council’s invoice which details charges based on increased consumption.

To the following (changes are shown in italics and highlighted)

5. LIMIT ON WHEN CLAIMS CAN BE MADE

Property owners must make a claim for reduction in water consumption charges within 3 months (90 days) of the date of Council’s invoice which details charges based on increased consumption. Except when the invoice under dispute is dated before 30 June 2023 and relates to the last reading of the old manual meter servicing the property. In this case the period for making a claim under this Policy will be 120 days.