Queanbeyan City Council will double water and sewerage rates over the next two decades.
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The decision to jack up water charges by 9.5 per cent and sewer charges by 13.5 per cent a year until 2023 has infuriated the Queanbeyan Ratepayers and Residents Association and inspired a petition opposing the increases.
The association formed last year to fight $3.7 million of backdated rates invoices, which were later quashed by councillors.
President Kim Morris accused council of trying to "bail out a shortfall" in their funding.
"The council has always defended their charges, saying they need funding for infrastructure, the renewal of sewerage infrastructure in particular. They do need to upgrade or rebuild the sewer works in Queanbeyan but what we're saying is have they looked at alternatives, like tapping into the Canberra system and paying a fee for that," Mr Morris said.
Mr Morris said the increases would also be devastating for the rental market, especially for landlords who own non-strata units.
"If landlords have one water meter and 10 flats what happens is the council will charge them that initial meter access but then multiply it by the number of non-strata units.
"Landlords who own a number of units are being forced to pay that exorbitant price many times over but that's going up on an annual basis so it's making investment in property in Queanbeyan unviable."
Association treasurer Brigida Szostak said she was disappointed as she felt the council had not made the annual increases clear.
"We initially thought it was a one-off increase, through further reading we realised it was compounded every year until 2023," Ms Szostak said.
"The town is struggling at the moment, I don't think these increases are going to help the situation."
The increases were laid out in council's long-term financial plan for 2013 to 2023.
Residents currently pay $950 for access to both water and sewerage services but by 2022, that's expected to jump to $2082.
A spokesperson for Queanbeyan City Council said the independent review of water and sewer systems is looking at "an affordable mix of rates, fees and other income".
The review will take into account the council's water and sewer assets, and the need for a new sewerage treatment plant for Queanbeyan.
It will allow for potential changes to the purchase of bulk water from Canberra water provider Icon.
"The review, led by Professor Percy Allan, will shape the Long Term Financial Plan and guide Council's budget and charges for the next financial year," the spokesperson said.
"Council's Rates and Advisory Committee has been engaging with the Queanbeyan Ratepayers and Residents Association in regard to this issue and will continue to do so."
