Cr Troy Marquart, a ward councillor for the Peninsula (West Ward), has opposed a move aimed at encouraging residents to collect water for domestic consumption.
Central Coast Council has decided to look into the feasibility of installing water tanks at discounted rates for pensioners and possibly other low income groups across the region, following a successful motion from Cr Kyle MacGregor at its October 28 meeting.
Chief executive Mr Gary Murphy has been asked to provide a report to Council within six months. It will consider options such as a temporary reduction in residents’ rates should they chose to install a water tank or water saving mechanisms on their property or to look at Council bulk buying and installing tanks for residents at a reasonable fee.
Cr Marquart said councils should not get involved in bulk buying tanks. The move was aimed at encouraging residents to capture and collect water for domestic consumption, reducing demand on the Council’s water supply.
The report will outline the potential budgetary impact on Council and suggest other options for reducing the economic burden on low income residents wishing to install water tanks or other water saving measures.
The only councillors to vote against the move were Greg Best, Troy Marquart and Rebecca Gale Collins.
Cr MacGregor said the program should be targeted at those who would benefit the most. “This program is not unusual for our region with both former councils offering different programs during the millennial drought, ” he said.
SOURCE: Central Coast Council Agenda 8.2, 28 Oct 2019 Media statement, 22 Oct 2019 Kyle MacGregor, Central Coast Council
This article appeared first in the Peninsula News print edition 482