Councillors launch last-minute bid to defer Christchurch's planned excess water charges
From reporter Tina Law:
Charges for using excess water are expected to come into force from July 1, but some Christchurch city councillors have launched a last-minute bid to defer the policy.
The council decided last year, following public consultation, to charge from July this year those who use more than an average of 700 litres of water a day over a three-month period.
Thousands of homeowners across Christchurch can expect to receive a bill, but only during the summer months for most.
About 30,000 homes across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula used an average of more than 700 litres a day during the 2020-21 summer.
But the council will not be sending out bills for $25 or less, so people will have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill. Once a bill goes above $25, the person will be charged for all usage above 700 litres.
Suburbs with the most households using more than 700 litres include Hornby (1392), Avonhead (1364), Burwood (1336), Halswell (1119) and Fendalton (1066).
Council three waters boss Helen Beaumont said 20,000 households were using more than 900 litres a day and could expect a bill if they did not reduce their use. Most of those bills would be less than $100.
The charge would be $1.35 for every 1000 extra litres used.
There will be exemptions for households with eight members or more who are using water responsibly.
However, five councillors – Sam MacDonald, James Gough, Phil Mauger, Aaron Keown and Catherine Chu – want the charges deferred.
Councillors will discuss and vote on this issue as part of next week’s annual plan sign off. Continue reading here.
💡 A Little Brain Buzz for You— Solve These! ⚡
You can ask this question all day long and get a completely different answer, yet all the answers will be correct. What is the question?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
recall reminder for faulty bathroom heaters prone to fires
Recall reminder for faulty bathroom heaters prone to fires
3:28 pm today
www.rnz.co.nz...
The Serene S2068 model that was recalled last year due to a manufacturing defect. Photo: Supplied / WorkSafe
Households are being urged to check their bathroom heaters to ensure they're not a recalled model that has caused numerous fires.
This time last year the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) issued a compulsory recall for a specific model of Serene heaters, warning of a significant risk to lives and property.
Since then 16,000 heaters have been decommissioned, but MBIE estimates there are still thousands in operation in Kiwi homes.
MBIE spokesperson Ian Caplin said the recalled heaters have caused 19 fires, including two after the recall notice was issued.
"That's 19 fire events too many, they're obviously very dangerous.
"They've been recalled but it is something where there are plenty of them about so we would urge people to check if they've got them. If they've got them, switch them off."
Caplin said MBIE estimates there are approximately 28,000 Serene S2068 heaters still in properties across the country.
"Technically it is a criminal offence to use them because they are prohibited from use.
"They're considered by the regulator to be so unsafe that it's not just an offence to supply and sell them, it's an offence to switch them on."
He said anyone who discovered they had a recalled heater should switch it off and get it professionally disconnected by an electrician or the supplier it was bought from.
"We know over Christmas there were two fires because of these heaters, and as the heaters get older and the known issues inside them get worse, and as we get into colder months, we are likely to see more and more fires occur."
MBIE had been working with Master Electricians to improve the information available around the recall, both to New Zealand households and to the electricians and suppliers who were undertaking the recalls.
"We have also discussed the recall with the Insurance Council who have advised that a fire that occurs from these heaters may not be covered by your home insurance if you do not act on the recall guidance, so keeping them in your homes not only risks lives, but your savings too," Caplin said.
"We've heard from our overseas counterparts that they only see around 20 percent of the products returned when a recall is issued.
"The fact that we have almost 37 percent returned really highlights the work being done, but also the need for more people to make sure they are checking their bathrooms."
Find out more about how to check if your heater was included in the recall, what other models pose a risk, and what you can do if you have one of these heaters on the Consumer Protection website
Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
-
36.8% Yes, it serves us well
-
62.4% No, I have concerns
-
0.8% Other - I'll share below
Loading…
