posted May 24, 2024
This blog provides information about the ongoing Waste Water issues in Cobden. The treatment plant appears to be working well, but the current billing approach is not feasible in the long term. The mantra for the blog is "Let's get the water bills down!"
The water bills are having a negative impact on living in Cobden, and this is likely to get worse. Some people cannot pay their current bills and bills are set to increase 4% per year until 2029. We have spoken with neighbours who are concerned about affording to stay in Cobden because of the bills.
The water bills are smothering the growth of Cobden. Property values are being stifled by their negative impacts. The bills deter people looking to move to Cobden. The bills are an added load on current and future businesses.
The water billing situation is fueling distrust between the town and council. Better communication is needed to understand why the bills are so high and what might be (is being?) done to bring them down. The past and current communication style has left a void that is being filled by misinformation, and this only makes the situation worse. Hopefully, this blog can help to increase communication and counter misinformation.
There does not appear to be an obvious and easy solution for getting the water bills down. We have created this blog with the goal of clearly identifyng and understanding related problems, and ideally, getting the water bills down. Without doubt, the Whitewater Region Council has a central role in reaching this goal. If this blog over time helps to reduce the distrust between the town and council, we would see that as a good thing too.
OK, so what's in it for us personally? We would like to get the water bills down! The blog is self funded, so we aren't spouting paid propaganda. We have no future political ambitions. We like Cobden and this is our small way of trying to help.
If you would like to add your voice to this blog, please contact us at TWPinCobden@gmail.com
TWP