With plans to continue a substantial capital works program MidCoast Water is looking to improve the water supply in Bulahdelah and Tea Gardens Hawks Nest and sewerage infrastructure in other parts of the Great Lakes.

These plans are outlined in MidCoast Water’s proposed management plan and budget which is currently on public display.

The plan covers a three year period from 2008 to 2011 and sets out key items for the 2008 to 2009 budget.

All communities are set to benefit from capital works expenditure.

Highlighted in the capital works program is the start of a water treatment plant upgrade in Tea Gardens Hawks Nest for which $1.7 million has been set aside for.

Investigations into effluent reuse at Hawks Nest will also continue to be funded.

MidCoast Water has slightly reduced access charges for water services in the coming year and will continue the two-tier water usage charge introduced last year to encourage customers to continue to be conservative in their water use.

New charges, from July 1, will be $1.75 per kilolitre (thousand litres) for the first 50 kilolitres per quarter.

Water usage above 50 kilolitres per quarter will be charged at $1.95 per kilolitre.

The average customer will experience an $11 per quarter increase in their water use charges, but high water usage customers could face larger increases.

“While there is an increase on last year’s prices, for the average customer it equates to less than one dollar a week,” MidCoast Water general manager Neil Hanington said.

Sewer charges have also increased, meaning an extra $11 per quarter for connected properties and $8.50 per quarter for unconnected properties. The draft management plan and budget are currently on display at the Great Lakes Council officers in Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah or on the website: www.midcoastwater.com.au.

Submissions from the general community are welcome, and will be accepted until 5pm on Friday, June 20.