Page 1451 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016
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Turning to the specifics of the bill, clause 4 allows the owners corporation to enter a unit to install a sub-meter. Clause 5 allows a unit owner to install a sub-meter in their unit at their own expense if an ordinary resolution has authorised it. The details of the resolution would also guide the owners corporation in determining the amount the owner is required to pay for their share of the owners corporation’s water usage for common property.
The owners corporation will also determine how the owner will make an extra payment or be refunded if their contribution is based on an estimate. The clause also allows the owners corporation to require an owner to install a sub-meter after passing a special resolution to install the sub-meter and recover the cost from the owner if the owner does not comply within a reasonable time.
Clauses 6 and 7 are technical amendments to clarify the general fund contributions payable by owners. Clause 8 amends the notice requirement so that owners who have individual water meters will be given accurate determinations of their contributions.
Clause 9 of the bill ensures that owners with a sub-meter are given accurate information about the amount they owe, including administration costs that the owners corporation may need to recover. Clause 10 inserts a new definition of a “sub-meter” in the legislation.
As I stated at the beginning, this legislation is straightforward. It is not a major policy change, but it will make a difference for many unit owners who are trying to do the right thing by conserving water and therefore reducing their bills. It will make a difference for owners who are struggling to pay their water bills because they are subsidising other people’s usage. I also hope allowing individual meters will encourage those people who are not being careful about how much water they use to take more care when they are faced with higher bills.
Since releasing an exposure draft last year I have been contacted by many stakeholders who have expressed their support for this legislation. It is clear this bill meets a genuine community need and I hope the government will choose to reflect the community’s view and support this as legislation.
The Canberra Liberals believe this bill is a practical way to encourage people to conserve water by not unfairly making them pay for other people’s water usage. The Canberra Liberals have listened to the concerns raised by constituents and brought forward legislation to solve the problem. Unlike the Labor-Greens government that wastes its time on unnecessary and costly projects, the Canberra Liberals are listening to what people in Canberra actually want. Unlike the Labor-Greens government, the Canberra Liberals will lead a government that deals with the practical matters and issues that face everyone on a daily basis. Instead of a government focused solely on a tram, we will have a government that focuses on all of Canberra. This bill is, in a small way, reflective of that intention.
Debate (on motion by Mr Barr) adjourned to the next sitting.
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