EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Christmas Island Act 1958
Utilities and Services Ordinance 1996
Water and Sewerage Services Fees and Charges (Christmas Island) Determination 2014
Section 3 of the Utilities and Services Ordinance 1996 (the Ordinance) authorises the Administrator to make provision for the supply and use of utilities and services in relation to, amongst other things, water and drainage and sewerage in the Territory. Section 4 of the Ordinance provides that the Administrator is to impose a fee for the provision to a person, or the use by a person, of such utilities and services.
The Water and Sewerage Services Fees and Charges (Christmas Island) Determination 2014 (the Determination) sets the fees for water and wastewater charges on Christmas Island and replaces the Water and Sewerage Services Fees and Charges Determination 2013.
It is government policy that wherever possible there should be parity between the prices charged in the Territory and those charged in Western Australia. Broadly speaking fees and charges for water and sewerage services are calculated based on whether the property is residential (which is further defined as a private dwelling house, home unit, or flat and includes any yard, garden or outhouse), non-residential, government, exempt (i.e. charitable, religious) or vacant land.
In WA, fees and charges for water and sewerage services are set annually and aim for full cost recovery. Full cost recovery includes all costs; cost of depreciation plus a return on assets. However in recognition of some high cost, small customer base schemes, only partial cost recovery occurs.
The fees set in the Determination are working towards those rates and charges that apply in Western Australia and these charges are considerably less than the cost of supply.
Schedule 1 Fixed Charge for Water
Residential - Water
A fixed charge is imposed for the provision of water services and increased 6.0% in line with WA increases.
Non-residential – water
A fixed charge is imposed for the provision of water services to Commercial, Industrial and Government customers based on the size of the meter on the water supply and these charges were increased 6.0% in line with WA. The fixed charge for other customers also increased 6.0% in line with WA.
Schedule 2 – Fixed Charges for Sewerage
Residential - Wastewater
An annual service charge is applied to all residential properties based on the property’s Gross Rental Value (GRV), which is supplied by the Valuer General. The fixed charge for sewerage is calculated by multiplying the GRV by a ‘rate in the dollar’ and is subject to a minimum and maximum charge. The minimum and maximum charge has been increased 6.0% in line with WA.
A ‘rate in the dollar’ is calculated by estimating the cost to operate the scheme and includes such things as estimated operating costs, depreciation on assets and return on assets. For high ‘rate in the dollar’ schemes the rate is capped at 12 cents and Water Corporation calculates that Christmas Island scheme is a high ‘rate in the dollar’ scheme.
The Determination caps the ‘rate in the dollar’ at the maximum charge of 12 cents in the dollar and minimum and maximum charges in line with WA has been fully phased in.
Non-residential – wastewater
Charges for sewer align with equivalent charges in WA and the minimum and maximum charge has been increased 6.0% in line with WA.
Schedule 3 – Quantity Charges
In line with 2008 WA Government reforms customers are encouraged to save water and quantity charges will continue to be adjusted to reflect the real cost of the cost of providing water in country areas.
Residential
Water consumption is calculated from regular meter readings and then multiplied by a charge per kilolitre according to the ‘class’ appropriate to the area. A ‘class’ of water use charge (1 to 5) applies to different towns across Western Australia depending on the total cost to the Water Corporation of providing water from the local scheme.
To encourage the careful use of water, the charges are structured so that the price per kilolitre increases as more water is used. Each year Water Corporation reviews these costs and allocates a town or scheme to a ‘class’. Where the costs change significantly, the town or scheme is moved up or down a class progressively until it reaches the appropriate class.
Christmas residential properties remains at Class 5 - Water use price north of the 26th parallel and the Determination reflects these changes to the cents per kilolitre charged.
Depending on the volume of water consumed the Quantity Charges for residential customers has increased between 5.9% and 6.0% in line with WA.
Non-residential
In WA each scheme is classified according to the cost to operate the scheme. Towns are then classified and customers charged water consumption according to Band 1-15 Non-residential water consumption rates.
Due to the cost to operate the scheme Christmas Island non-residential properties have been reclassified from Band 12 to Band 13 Non-residential water rates and changes will continue each year until it reaches band 15. These increases are reflected in the Determination.
A quantity charge for sewer volume discharge applies throughout WA and encourages customers to look at ways to minimise discharge to sewer (e.g. water efficient appliances, dual flush toilets, low flow shower roses and taps, etc.)
For rate charged for water used up to 150kL has increased 6.0% and the Quantity Charges for water used over 150kL has increased 15.4% in line with WA.
Schedule 4 – Building Application Fees
A standard increase of 2.6% has been applied in line with changes to comparable WA fees and charges.
Schedule 5 – Other fees Discounts, Interest rates and additional charges
A standard increase 2.6% has been applied in line with changes to comparable WA fees and charges.
Consultation
The delivery of water and sewerage service in Christmas Island is provided under a service delivery arrangement with the Western Australian Water Corporation. The fees and charges specified in this Determination were set in consultation with Water Corporation and are similar to those applying to country Western Australian customers. In the same way as such charges are determined and set in Western Australia and other Australian States, no other consultations (including businesses potentially affected by the increases) were appropriate.
The Determination commences on 1 July 2014.
Approximate rates of increase in the various fees from the previous year are described below:
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| 2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | Percent Increase | ||||
| SCHEDULE 1 – FIXED CHARGES FOR WATER |
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1 | Residential | $188.10 | $205.71 | $218.05 | 6.0% | ||||
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2 | Commercial, Commercial/Residential, Industrial, Mining, Shipping and Government - |
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| 15 or 20mm meter or un-metered (minimum) | $188.10 | $205.71 | $218.05 | 6.0% | ||||
| 25mm | $293.90 | $321.42 | $340.70 | 6.0% | ||||
| 40mm | $752.40 | $822.83 | $872.19 | 6.0% | ||||
| 50mm | $1,175.60 | $1,285.67 | $1,362.79 | 6.0% | ||||
| 80mm | $3,009.60 | $3,291.31 | $3,488.75 | 6.0% | ||||
| 100mm | $4,702.50 | $5,142.67 | $5,451.17 | 6.0% | ||||
| 150mm | $10,580.60 | $11,571.02 | $12,265.13 | 6.0% | ||||
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3 | Institutional/Public, Charitable purpose or Local Government | Nil | Nil | Nil |
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4 | Vacant land | $188.10 | $205.71 | $218.05 | 6.0% | ||||
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5 | Fire service | $188.10 | $205.71 | $218.05 | 6.0% | ||||
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6 | Strata-titled Commercial or Industrial property sharing a water service | $188.10 | $205.71 | $218.05 | 6.0% | ||||
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| Note - Additional connections will be charged at the same rates as above |
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| SCHEDULE 2 – FIXED CHARGES FOR SEWERAGE | 2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | Percent Increase | ||||
1 | Residential |
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| Rate per $ of Gross Rental Value | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | 0.0% | ||||
| Minimum charge | $313.20 | $331.99 | $351.91 | 6.0% | ||||
| Maximum charge | $780.40 | $827.22 | $876.86 | 6.0% | ||||
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2 | Commercial, Industrial or Mining |
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| First major fixture | $728.40 | $772.10 | $818.43 | 6.0% | ||||
| Second major fixture | $311.80 | $330.51 | $350.34 | 6.0% | ||||
| Third major fixture | $416.40 | $441.38 | $467.86 | 6.0% | ||||
| Subsequent major fixture | $452.80 | $479.97 | $508.77 | 6.0% | ||||
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| Minimum charge | $728.40 | $772.10 | $818.43 | 6.0% | ||||
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3 | Vacant Land |
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| Rate per $ of Gross Rental Value | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | 0.0% | ||||
| Minimum charge | $206.10 | $218.47 | $231.57 | 6.0% | ||||
| Maximum charge (only for future residential use) | $780.40 | $827.22 | $876.86 | 6.0% | ||||
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4 | Institutional/Public, Charitable Purposes or Local Government |
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| First MF | $195.70 | $207.44 | $219.89 | 6% | ||||
| Subsequent MF | $86.10 | $91.27 | $96.75 | 6% | ||||
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5 | Government |
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| First major fixture | $728.40 | $772.10 | $818.43 | 6.0% | ||||
| Second major fixture | $311.80 | $330.51 | $350.34 | 6.0% | ||||
| Third major fixture | $416.40 | $441.38 | $467.86 | 6.0% | ||||
| Subsequent major fixture | $452.80 | $479.97 | $508.77 | 6.0% | ||||
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6 | Strata-titled Commercial / Industrial | $479.97 | $479.97 | $508.77 | 6.0% | ||||
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| SCHEDULE 3 – QUANTITY CHARGES | 2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | Percent Increase | ||||
1 | Residential or Vacant Land held for Residential Purposes | $/kL | $/kL | $/kL |
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| 0 – 350kL (350kL) | 1.336 | 1.381 | 1.464 | 6.0% | ||||
| 351 - 500kL (150kL) | 1.747 | 1.841 | 1.951 | 5.9% | ||||
| 501 - 750kL (250kL) | 3.600 | 3.766 | 3.991 | 6.0% | ||||
| Over 750kL | 3.470 | 6.474 | 6.862 | 6.0% | ||||
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2 | Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Shipping or Vacant land not mentioned in item 1. |
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| 0 – 300kL | 4.135 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
| over 300kL | 4.514 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
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3 | Commercial/Residential |
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| 0-150kL | 1.336 | 1.381 | 1.464 | 6.0% | ||||
| 151-450kL | 4.135 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
| over 450kL | 4.514 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
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4 | Government Commonwealth |
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| 0 – 300kL | 4.135 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
| over 300kL | 4.514 | 5.014 | 5.788 | 15.4% | ||||
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5 | Institutional/Public (non-govemment schools, churches, community facilities etc), Charitable purposes or Local Government |
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| 0 – 300kL | 1.747 | 1.965 | 2.083 | 6.0% | ||||
| over 300kL | 1.926 | 1.965 | 2.083 | 6.0% | ||||
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6 | Commercial, government or industrial discharge to sewer |
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| 0-200kL per property (allowance) | Nil | Nil | Nil |
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| Over 200kL | 2.677 | 2.8376 | 3.0079 | 6.0% | ||||
| The number of kilolitres is calculated by multiplying the water used by the assessed discharge factor to determine discharge to sewer |
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| SCHEDULE 4 – BUILDING APPLICATION FEES | 2012/13 | 2013/14 | 2014/15 | Percent Increase | ||||
1 | Building plans to construct a new residential building or alter an existing residential building (charge is for each residential unit). | $115.50 | $117.80 | $120.86 | 2.6% | ||||
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2 | Minor building fee for approval of an outbuilding to a single residential property, includes pools, garages and pergolas (in sewered areas only). | $33.75 | $34.40 | $35.29 | 2.6% | ||||
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3 | Building plans for multi-residential units | $115.50 | $117.80 | $120.86 | 2.6% | ||||
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4 | Building plans for other than residential and multi-residential units (construct new building/alter existing building) at a cost of — |
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| Up to $22,500 (sewered area only) | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | 0.0% | ||||
| Over $22,500 but not over $200,000 | $85.00 | $85.00 | $85.00 | 0.0% | ||||
| $200,001 but not over $500,000 | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 | 0.0% | ||||
| $500,001 but not over $1,000,000 | $550.00 | $550.00 | $550.00 | 0.0% | ||||
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| And where the cost exceeds $1,000,000 — |
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| First $10,000,000 | $0.90 per $’000 | $0.90 per $’000 | $0.90 per $’000 | 0.0% | ||||
| Over $10,000,000 $9,000 plus | $0.25 per $’000 | $0.25 per $’000 | $0.25 per $’000 | 0.0% | ||||
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| Over $10,000,000 | Over $10,000,000 | Over $10,000,000 |
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| SCHEDULE 5 – OTHER FEES |
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1 | Relocation of service | quoted cost | quoted cost | quoted cost |
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2 | Water service disconnection or reconnection | quoted cost | quoted cost | quoted cost |
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3 | Special meter readings for change of ownership/tenancy - |
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| Within 7 days | $15.60 | $15.90 | $16.31 | 2.6% | ||||
| Within 2 days | $52.35 | $53.40 | $54.79 | 2.6% | ||||
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4 | Advice of sale requests — |
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| Electronic advice – standard | $41.35 | $42.20 | $43.30 | 2.6% | ||||
| Electronic advice – urgent | $78.05 | $79.60 | $81.67 | 2.6% | ||||
| Manual advice – standard | $71.00 | $72.40 | $74.28 | 2.6% | ||||
| Manual advice – urgent | $107.35 | $109.50 | $112.35 | 2.6% | ||||
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5 | Meter Tests - |
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| 20mm to 25mm meters | $100.00 | $102.00 | $104.65 | 2.6% | ||||
| Over 25mm meters | quoted cost | quoted cost | quoted cost |
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6 | Restoration of service after restriction between 7:00am and 4:00pm any day except Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays | $143.00 | $146.00 | $149.80 | 2.6% | ||||
Any other time | $227.00 | $232.00 | $238.03 | 2.6% | |||||
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7 | Sewer connection charge | quoted cost | quoted cost | quoted cost |
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8 | Installation of sewer junction | quoted cost | quoted cost | quoted cost |
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Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Water and Sewerage Services Fees and Charges Determination 2014
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Bill/Legislative Instrument
The Legislative Instrument sets the annual fees and charges for water and sewerage services within the Territory of Christmas Island
Human rights implications
Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) requires that Australia ensure the availability, adequacy and accessibility of food, water and housing for all people in Australia in providing an adequate standard of living.
The right to water also includes the protection against arbitrary and unlawful disconnection of water and access to a minimum amount of safe drinking water to sustain life and health.
The range and standard of services provided on the Indian Ocean Territories (IOTs) are similar to those provided in remote Australian communities with similar characteristics, particularly demographic characteristics or service provision needs, recognising any special needs of the IOTs.
Under a Service Delivery Arrangement with the Department, the Water Corporation of Western Australia provides water and wastewater services to the communities of the non-governing Territories of Christmas Island The Water Corporation operates under the applied Water Services Act 2012 (WA)(CI) and maintains similar standards and conditions that apply to regional WA.
Water Services Act 2012 (WA)(CI), the applied Act, and the Water Services Code of Conduct (Customer Standards) 2013, the Code, protects the customer against the arbitrary and unlawful disconnection of water and provides customers with access to a minimum of 2.3 litres each minute of safe drinking water to sustain life and health.
Information about the applied Act and Code is publically available and provides for assistance to customers experiencing financial hardship and establishes procedures for dealing with complaints about water services.
The Water and Sewerage Fees and Charges (CI Determination 2014 set the annual fees and charges for water and sewerage services for the Christmas Island Territory. As the Water Services Act 2012 (WA)(CI) and the Water Services Code of Conduct (Customer Standards) 2013 protect consumers, this Determination does not engage any applicable rights or freedoms and so is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
Conclusion
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.