G-MW establishes rebate fund to assist Campaspe irrigators
Goulburn-Murray Water has established a new fund to provide further financial assistance for its Campaspe customers during the current difficult period of low seasonal water allocations.
The $200,000 Campaspe Rebate Fund has been specially created, using money from the present Campaspe bank account, and will be used to provide rebates to eligible customers.
Chief Executive Russell Cooper said the rebates will be proportioned to the total water entitlements held by irrigators. With 21,160 megalitres of water entitlement in the Campaspe region, this will equate to $9.45 per megalitre of entitlement.
""The current 30% allocation, with the traditionally wet months now behind us, has made this a difficult time for our Campaspe customers, and Goulburn-Murray Water has been working hard to develop some creative solutions to provide assistance,"" Mr Cooper said.
""Goulburn-Murray Water will forward the rebate to eligible customers within 30 days of receipt of the infrastructure charge payment.""
In addition to the rebate fund, Goulburn-Murray Water has also established a six-month interest-free grace period until 30 June 2006 for customers to pay their infrastructure charges.
Chairperson Don Cummins said that Goulburn-Murray Water is working closely with the Rochester‑Campaspe Water Services Committee to introduce these initiatives.
""The Board has the challenging task of balancing the need for financial sustainability in the area and the need to recognise the difficulties experienced by its customers,"" Mr Cummins said.
""I am very pleased that the Water Services Committee has accepted and supported the extension to the interest-free period and the proposal to establish the Campaspe Rebate Fund.
""The committee has shown its appreciation of the Board's consultation on this matter and I am pleased with the way we worked together to develop creative solutions to the challenges currently facing Campaspe customers.""
