Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that whilst local councils have concealed leaks policies to assist residents with remissions for the council component of the cost of lost water, the state government has no policy for residents to be reimbursed for the bulk water costs that are received and retained by the state.

Council rates notices currently include a total cost for bulk water and distribution to ratepayers. This comprises state government (bulk water) and council (distribution) charges. council acts as agent for the state, collecting bulk water charges passing them on to the state.

The majority (83.7 per cent) of residents' water bills are made up of state government bulk water costs and there continues to be no state provision for reimbursement of the bulk water costs in the event of a concealed leak.

Councils have accepted their responsibility for their share of the concealed leaks costs by implementing a remission policy for residents. The state, as a result of its revenue from bulk water, the cost of which has more than doubled since 2012, should bear some responsibility to also assist residents in the event of concealed leaks.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to enact legislation to ensure that residents who discover a concealed leak on their properties can seek reimbursement from the state towards the cost of bulk water lost through the leak.