Per our March 2023 update, the new pricing structure for Trade Waste Permit Fees comes into effect on the 1st of July, however as part of a staged approach, we have been advised the first bill will be discounted for the first 12 months and bills will be issued quarterly. This means first bills showing the new pricing with discount applied will be issued in October 2023. The following statistics have been provided by Unitywater:

Industry Segment Total customers % of total cust.
Very low 49 14%
Automotive repair and maintenance 15 4.5%
Takeaway Food Services 6 2%
Fresh meat, fish and poultry retailing 6 2%
Low 142 42%
Cafes & Restaurants 43 12.5%
Takeaway Food Service 38 11%
Automotive Repair & Maintenance 21 6%
Medium 76 22%
Cafes & Restaurants 49 15%
Takeaway Food Services 7 2%
  Secondary Education 5 1.5%
High 50 15%
Cafes & Restaurants 39 11%
Pubs, Taverns & Bars 4 1%
Supermarket & Grocery Stores 3 1%
Very High 26 7%
Cafes & Restaurants 7 2%
Residential Care Services 7 2%
Supermarket & Grocery Stores 4 1%

The above information was generated in early March 2023

Comparative Data

We requested comparative data from other jurisdictions with a similar profile to Noosa in terms of tourism and hospitality-based industries. Unitywater provided a comparison which demonstrated that in most instances, Unitywater’s new pricing is comparable or slightly lower in price. There was exception in the ‘very low treatment tier’ with Unitywater’s annual trade waste permit fee being approximately $350 higher.

Should any of our small businesses in that category, be impacted adversely, please email us on noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au so we can raise this with the Minister for Small Business to further efforts to see impacts mitigated. Even though matters relating to Unitywater do not come under the jurisdiction of State Government, we can advocate for other forms of relief for our small operators.

Burgess Creek

Noosa Council and Unitywater are working together on this. We have been advised that the readings show the quality of outflows degrades as it passes contributors such as urban development and roads. Even though not in the state realm, we look forward to their findings and will post up to Noosa 360.

Further Information

For further information on their new pricing structure, please see our previous update at www.sandybolton.com/unity-water-pricing-structure-change-march-2023

Unitywater is a statutory authority with three shareholders – Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Council’s – and is governed by an independent board. Matters relating to Unitywater do not come under the jurisdiction of State Government. Concerns or complaints need to be lodged directly with Unity Water through their contact details available at www.unitywater.com/about-us/contact-us

Should you wish any decisions or actions of Unitywater to be investigated further, you can lodge a case with the Energy & Water Ombudsman QLD, who provide a free and independent dispute resolution service for unresolved complaints with electricity, gas or water suppliers. Their details are available at www.ewoq.com.au