Mayor Thorley - water rates go up to pay for MY project ...

... but you can't use the money for other options if the NO vote wins.

Uncompromising 'til the bitter end.

Yesterday, Mayor Thorley tabled her water rates hikes for Toowoomba ratepayers.

An excerpt:

Ratepayers face a 4.7% rate rise – on average $62 a residential property – in a budget dominated by a $22 million allocation to Water Futures.

A new first tier will increase water prices from 64¢ to 70¢ a kilolitre, with the allowable volume dropping from 324 kilolitres to 200 kilolitres.

For the second tier – 201 to 500 kilolitres - charges will rise from $1.02 a kilolitre to $1.50

On the third tier – more than 500 kilolitres - consumers will pay $3 a kilolitre.

Source - Chronicle - Sting in the water tale.

The rate increases were passed unanimously by Council.

Deputy Mayor Ramia, one of the city's largest commercial water users, must have been somewhat grim-faced.

Interestingly, Mayor Thorley wants to control the use of the money even if the No vote wins on 29 July:

Water Futures opponent Cr Lyle Shelton said he supported the allocation in the budget because "should there be a 'No' vote on July 29, then that money can be directed to support other options".

But Cr Thorley said she would not presume what councillors would do because the money was linked specifically to Water Futures and matching government subsidies.

A classic example of "it's money for MY project and you can't have it".

Hopefully, post-29 July, Mayor Thorley will be gone and Council can make some sensible decisions ...