Service does not justify rate rise

I must point out that Peninsula residents have endured a lousy water supply for too long as it is.

Ratepayers living on the high ground are deprived of the water pressure needed to provide first response to fire.

In fact, there have been photos and stories about how sprinklers on roofs won't even spin because the lousy pressure is less than tank water!

Gosford Council has applied for 37.6 per cent rate rise, while Wyong has applied for 16 per cent increase.

Capacity to pay, if it really plays a part in the process of IPART, must attract attention to this disparity.

We are paying for more service than we get right now.

The water reticulation system has run down because of poor management.

Like so many others I want the service I contracted with council to receive and right now my water pressure has been dropped from 120 psi to 75.

Water flow less than two litres per minute results in a dribble from my shower.

And I wonder at why I installed fire hoses when my capacity to provide first response is impinged by the very poor water service which council has reduced us to.

I have always been happy to pay for services and even an increase when it is justified.

But we have been ripped off for years because our elected representatives are too weak to stand up for us.

The offensive and dangerous lack of water pressure is because many pipes are now unable to take pipe hammer because they are too old.

Edward James, Umina