Few could disagree with Redland City Bulletin's editorial "Redlands water users will greet rate rise with cynicism", December 10, claims that Redland residents continue to be angry about past water policy and planning failures that have produced higher water prices.
The editorial, however, somewhat indiscriminately blames "the government" and "elected representatives" for the cost increases that may flow in 2015-16 from the QCA's draft determination. Whereas, history shows that it was not the current government, but the previous Labor government that locked every Redland resident and business into a decade of skyrocketing bulk water price increases.
It was former premier Anna Bligh and Labor that took control of Redland water. Labor wasted millions on the Tugun desal plant. Labor gave us the Traveston Dam fiasco.
Labor built pipes without dams and dams without pipes. Labor accrued multi-billion debt on the South East Water Grid that must now be paid back. All of these Labor failures left behind a price trajectory of higher state bulk water costs for Redlanders.
The public record shows it was the Lord Mayor of Brisbane (Campbell Newman) who warned that Labor's unprecedented planning failures and reckless spending would result in a decade of cost-of-living pain.
While the LNP government has had to deal with Labor's painful legacy with water, we have made progress in reducing its impact on Redland households and businesses.
For example, the QCA's proposed increase of $38 in 2015-16 for an average household using 200kl a year in the Redland council area is even lower than the $49 increase forecast last year - and significantly lower than what it would have been under Labor (about $83).
Importantly, the LNP government also recognises that there is more work to do and we will continue to work hard to find ways to further reduce the cost of bulk water supply.
Redland City Bulletin readers cannot afford the political chaos that would occur if Labor fell over the line, either in their own right, or with the help of minor parties or independents.
Only the LNP has a strong team, with a strong plan for a stronger Queensland.
Mark McArdle, Minister for Energy and Water Supply
