David Gardiner

Journalist

Douglas Shire Council appears satisfied with the rollout of its smart water meter program, with 98 per cent of the new meters now installed of around 4,700 connections in total. 

Despite complaints about excessive water leaks at some properties in areas such as Port Douglas and Cooya Beach which Newsport reported on recently, Mayor Michael Kerr said problems encountered “have been at the level expected.”

He said there have been 212 “enquiries” – mostly requesting assistance on how to read the new smart meters, how to sign up with the ‘MiWater’ customer portal, and how to read a leak notification.

If homeowners do themselves detect a leak or are notified by Council, and get it fixed by a licensed plumber promptly, they can generally have a good chance of getting financial relief under its ‘Concealed Leak Financial Assistance Policy’.

“Douglas Shire Council offers relief to customers who have received a high water bill because of a concealed leak and have had the leak repaired by a licensed plumber in a timely manner. Conditions apply,” its website says.

“Council has had 106 applications for the concealed leak policy since the commencement of the Smart Water Meter installation in March 2022,” Cr Kerr said, adding that 66 out of those were successful and that the number of applications was “on par” with expectations.

The smart meter rollout, coming close to the end, has cost a total of $1.9-million and has been funded under the state government’s ‘COVID Works for Queensland (W4Q)’ program.

Council recently reported that as a result of smart meters installed under the much larger stage two of the program had already saved it 92 megalitres of water – equating to $150,000, or “more water than 36 Mossman lap pools could hold,” its website said.

“Many Port Douglas residents have already shaved hundreds of dollars off their annual water bill thanks to their new smart meter,” the Mayor also said at the time.