Member for Buderim Steve Dickson addressed state Parliament today on the Unity Water saga. He says that the community is still being told mistruths about Unity Water and spoke about an ordinary meeting of Sunshine Coast Regional Council last Wednesday the 25 August 2010.

Mr Dickson told Parliament, “In this house on Thursday the 19th August 2010, I asked Minister Stephen Robertson a question without notice. The Minister’s reply included the following and I quote ‘…he said both the Coast and Moreton councils had agreed in February that if there were to be discounts or rebates on bills then the council, not Unity Water, would dish them out…’

“I can advise this house that there was an ‘ordinary’ meeting of Sunshine Coast Regional Council last Wednesday the 25 August 2010. In that meeting, Councillor Ted Hungerford asked Chief Financial Controller Greg Laverty if ‘…water subsidies were discussed with Unity Water and or agreed to in February?’ as claimed by Minister Robertson. Mr Laverty replied that discussions were held, but NO agreement was reached”

“Councillor Hungerford then sought to clarify the answer through the chair to Mayor Abbot. Mayor Abbot said that Minister Robertson’s answer in Parliament was incorrect! So there we have it Mr Speaker! Once again, we have the state government and council on the Sunshine Coast blaming each other and in denial about water bills.”

“I want Unity Water, the Minister’s office and Sunshine Coast Regional Council to come clean and tell the community the details of the negotiations surrounding the formation of the new water entity. After all they’re paying for it” Mr Dickson said.