AnswerID: 202773 Submitted: Friday, Nov 03, 2006 at 09:24
Cruiser HZJ70
replied:
A word of advice to anyone who finds themselves in trouble with
Brisbane City Council regarding water use-
I had just finished using the watering can to wash my vehicle a few months back when I had a "Water Inspector" approach me for unauthorised use of water. Turns out my B!TCH neighbour reported me for using the hose to fill my watering can.
I very calmly explained to the bloke that I was using the hose because it saved all the spillage associated with angling the can under the tap and trying to get most of the water in the small hole at the top of the can. I also pointed out how small the puddle was that had run off my vehicle. I made sure he noted these points in his note pad along with the fact that he didn't personally see me use the hose.
He then told me his notes would be reviewed before a decision was made to send me a fine in the mail or not. (A good way to avoid the confrontation of handing me the fine on the spot I thought).
A week later it came. $150 for my "first offence". Quite P!SSED OFF at this stage, I filled in the section on the back to have the mater heard in court, assuming that any magistrate with an ounce of common sense would see my point.
About six weeks after that I got a phone call from
Brisbane City Council. The bloke asked me to confirm my intentions to go to court. When I did, he asked me on what grounds. I told him I would not discuss the matter over the phone and I would have my say in court.
Less than two hours later he rang back and told me BCC would not be pursuing the matter any further as the woman who reported me was not prepared to appear in court.
The main thing I would like to point out here is that unless the Council officer is prepared to say under oath that he personally seen you use water in an unauthorised manner, it'll be thrown out of court.
The stupid thing about these "Band aid" water restrictions is the same B!TCH that dobbed me in probably spends an hour in the shower each night. How would we know?
Reply 9 of 11