Gerhardp1 replied:

You could always move to Victoria, supposedly the most livable place on earth - ho ho

The government here has their hands so far into your pockets you break their wrist when you sit down.

From extortionate stamp duties, unbelievable traffic fines and charges, etc, etc

Every day there is a new reason for charges to increase - today's was fines for water wallies who flout the restrictions we have because the gov't is too busy counting all the money and figuring how to hide it, and all the while doing nothing on infrastructure. Record GST income, record fine income, record everything income, record new taxes, record low governing.

Welcome to Victoria. Keen to come ????

Axel [ the real one ] replied:

And the plan is not an all out ban on electric hot water systems at all , will be for NEW installations only ,got no water to heat up ,got no water to run the leccy stations anyway , and to top it off it is the dearest form $wise and ecological wise to get hot water.

Brian B (Brisbane) replied:

Hi Kevin,

Think again about the amalgamations. Logan, Redlands, part of the Gold Coast and Beaudesert are in the firing line as well.

He is just off the rails at present.

flashnick replied:

And now this - I guess we deserve what we let them do to us - remember toll busters?

Beach levy considered

02.06.2007
By ALAN LANDER

VISITORS to Teewah Beach via Noosa North Shore could soon be paying $30 for the privilege.

The effects of camping, four-wheel driving and angling are forcing state government planners to consider an environment levy similar to one on Fraser Island, and to declare the area a Regional Area Management zone.

Gympie Nationals MP David Gibson says the proposed fee is a toll, not a levy.

"My position is a fee to drivers on a gazetted road is a toll; you can call it a RAM fee or whatever, but it's a toll," he said.

He said applying punitive measures with no attempt to educate users was wrong.



Noosa Council was cautiously supportive of the RAM declaration, but concerned it would be left footing the bill without receiving any funds.

The council has submitted its ideas to the government on how to best manage the area.

"If the state government is just using it as a money grab, we're out of it," deputy mayor Frank Pardon said.

"We have said to the government, if they are creating a RAM, we want some of the funds.

"Ninety-five per cent of people cross at Noosa River in Tewantin - it's our infrastructure, which people of the shire have paid for."

State environment minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the working group was established to examine vehicle access, camping, general recreation and conservation/protection issues and to help ensure the area retained its integrity and attractions.

Emo replied:

Wait until all the "Global Warming" taxes and levies start coming in.

David N. replied:

They should ban electric stoves! (Should have years ago!)

AT LEAST five times the greenhouse gas of a gas stove. (Probably a lot more than that as the whole power generation infrastructure needs to be bigger to cope.)

Member - Stephen M (NSW) replied:

Hi there Kevin, if they were fair dinkum they would make the solar prices alot cheaper. We had to replace our hot water due to age and the tank rusting out we got a price for a solarhart (Rheem) 7k supply and fit. Two solar panels on roof, tank on ground level and still needed a pump to circulate water around. We ended up getting a Rinnae 2600 instant. Turn on the hot water tap it fires up use what you want/need turn off tap burner stops. Our electricity for hot water was off peak so cost us just on $80 every 3 months. We just had a full 3 months on gas not using gas heater in lounge room and we used $26 in gas. Big difference and we no longer have to turn the cold water tap on as we have two controllers one in the kitchen the other in the bathroom set the temp you want eg 41degrees and thats what it comes out the tap fantastic and dont get the burst of cold water when some one turns another hot water tap on in the house mmmm now have to think of another way to get wife out of shower when shes been in there two long.Will suply enough hot waters for three showers at a time. And cost us $900 all up as AGL has a special on and the government sent us a cheque for $70 for going gas. Regards Steve M

robak (QLD) replied:

kevin,

What you have heard is not correct.

Since about 30% of your home's energy is used to heat water, the aim is to reduce inefficent hot water systems. The old style gravity fed electric hot water systems that are common in queensland are cheap to buy but expensive to run. And since it's the builder who chooses the hot water systems, he picks the cheapest one and lets you pay for its (large) running costs. You can reduce those costs by 70% by simply installing an efficent hot water system

The legislation (which is not new by the way) is proposing that houses should have efficient hot water systems. It is not a ban an all electric heaters. There's simply a statement on their efficiency that they must meet, and the old style heaters won't comply.

If you have no gas connection then a good system for your house would be the heat pump. It works on the same principle as reverse cycle A/C, where rather then creating heat from a power source, it collects heat from its surroundings and places it in your water.

Site Link

By the way - All new windows also have an efficiency rating and legislative requirements.

R.