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 reub
Veteran Volks Folk
VWRX is gone...
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| posted on April 21st, 2009 at 02:29 PM |
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So why do I live in Darwin?? It's my home...but..
Darwin is a great place for lifestyle and friendships, and yet is it really worth the extra we end up paying to live up here?? I appreciate that much
of the expense comes from being remote to the rest of Australia, and a such freight plays a part. But get a load of what we will be getting slugged
for the basic essentials - Power, Water and Sewer....
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The NT Government in Australia has announced increases as of the 1st July 2009 to Power, Water & Sewerage bills for all Territorians. 18% for
Power for the first year (then 5% and 2.5% respectively for the following two years). 20% for Water for the first year (then 20% and 20% respectively
for the following two years). Sewerage increase is an exact duplicate of water.
This decision will have a dramatic effect that will reach far beyond our household utility bills, and will put great pressure on Territorian families
and business – especially small business.
****PW 2008 annual report - profit $57.5m; Bank Balance: $89.3m; Directors remuneration up 38%; no mention of need for price hike!****
Even the former Commissioner, Mr Alan Tregilgas, whoretired last week, says the Government "doesn't need to (put up prices) and I don't think it's
appropriate that the Government tries to shift all the costs onto consumers."
1. Power will rise on average, $800 per year.
2. Although the Power increase % drops in the second and third years, Water will increase 20% each year for the whole three years (that’s compound
interest).
3. By the third year we will be paying $3160 (power), $2115 (water), $582 (sewerage) – totaling $5857 per year.
4. Now for the flow on effect:
1. Rents will rise because of the water increases.
2. Food prices, Fuel Transport & Services will go up to cover increases in utilities.
3. Any small business that has been struggling to stay afloat because of economic downturn, will retrench/close doors – result? Loss of jobs.
The Treasurer, Delia Lawrie, said this in a media release, 1/04/09:
Treasurer Delia Lawrie today said the Territory recorded seasonally adjusted retail trade
turnover of $217 million in February 2009, a 15.5% increase on February 2008.
“Strong retail trade figures are indicative of a strong economy and Territorians continue to
outspend much of the nation in percentage terms,” Ms Lawrie said.
Of course it is higher…we have higher prices than everywhere else in the country. It’s not because we are buying more - it’s because we are
paying more. She also said in the same media release:
“The Territory also recorded a 14.8% drop in annual residential building approvals in trend terms in February, well below the 29.8% drop recorded
nationally.”
Yes, but it was still a drop, indicating that people don’t have the money to spend on building a house.
“Buy Local” says the Chief Minister – Local business won’t be able to stay competitive
with the new utility increases, and people won’t have the extra money to spend because of the new utility increases.
Suggested Solution: Perhaps the NT Government can put the Underground Power Cabling Project ($150m) and the Tiger Brennan Overpass Project ($36m –
NT Gov. Contribution) on hold for a couple of years so they can upgrade our ageing utilities.
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I've to ask how much people pay for Power, Water and Sewer in southern states...
Darwin, unlike much of the rest of Australia, hasn't realised much of the global economic climate issues with continuing to rise realestate and
rental costs, plus lower unemployment rates. With the $12B impex gas prosessing plant is would appear that the local economy will continue to move,
but at what cost I say??
Needless to say - I'm also too far away from any real Volksie action too....
Reub
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modulus
A.k.a.: Peter Hill
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| posted on April 21st, 2009 at 02:37 PM |
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Just announced in Vic.:
"Melbourne water bills will rise by as much as 60 per cent by 2013, under a proposal by the water regulator."
All that and it's cold down here to boot...
hth
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 Bizarre
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The artist formerly known as blue74l
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| posted on April 21st, 2009 at 02:50 PM |
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I said it before -
Electricity and Water will go through the roof in the next couple of years
This is pretty much what i am paying
http://www.energy.com.au/energy/ea.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Residential+In+Area...
Residential pays around 17c - 20c
Industrial has been paying as little as 3c
Futue te ipsum!!!
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Matt Ryan
A.k.a.: Matt Ryan
Fahrvergnugen
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| posted on April 21st, 2009 at 03:14 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Bizarre
Residential pays around 17c - 20c
Industrial has been paying as little as 3c
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Yes, then industry gets to claim what they have paid (through tax) as legitimate costs of running the business, not to mention being able to offset
the GST component as well.
Regards,
Matt.
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amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
Bishop of Volkswagenism
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| posted on April 21st, 2009 at 11:02 PM |
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Well at least people might stop washing their clothes and flushing their toilets with expensive treated chlorinated flouride water. I have a 3 person
household and we use far less water than the average 2 person household. If I could afford a dishwasher, and could get my daughter to have 4 minute
showers and I stopped having multiple showers due to sport we'd use even less. Its not hard, people just need the incentive.
Earth hour might spread to every other hour of the year and we'll turn off the power we dont need. Why the govt removed the rebates for solar power
is completely beyond me.
Wollongong Sporting Car club has been paying $102/quarter for the last 18 months even though we've used 0 units of electricity. Now that sucks.
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Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
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| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 01:10 AM |
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Hiya Bizarre,
Your comments interest me. Not being a native of Australia, I'd like to know how your electricity is produced down there. Coal or natural gas fired
generators? Hydro-electric? Nuclear?
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Phil74Camper
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Head in the Clouds
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| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 07:25 AM |
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Most of Australia's electricity is coal-fired. Tasmania is pretty much all hydro-electric, and some Snowy Mountains hydro power is added to the NSW
and VIC grids. Tiny amounts of gas and wind power.
No nuclear in Australia. The Lucas Heights reactor is a research facility only, used for science and making medical isotopes only.
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Bizarre
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The artist formerly known as blue74l
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| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 08:26 AM |
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All most all of our coal fired power stations are coming to the end of their lives and will need to be replaced soon
They are starting a few gas fired ones about the place in NSW but they are few and far between
There are several wind farms "on the drawing board" but the MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) isnt paying enough to these so it is cheaper to
just use the old stations.
Also about 10years ago when they semi-privatised power in NSW they Intergrals etc did deals with industries where they locked ug 10 year deals at like
3c
As a result a lot of people/developers built new but VERY inefficient factories etc
They are all coming to an end now
Futue te ipsum!!!
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