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WATER inspectors could be given the power to legally enter Brisbane properties which have recorded high water usage-and then name and shame the offending householders. More than 3000 households in southeast Queensland are using more than 2000 litres each a day-21/2 times the rate considered excessive.But water authorities have been forced to defend themselves against accusations they have acted too slowly in reining them in.One of Brisbane's biggest water users in recent months was a vacant block of land with a ruptured pipe. The problem has since been fixed by the council.The city's top user-a house at Acacia Ridge-has been using 32,000 litres of water a day.But the council only recently discovered that it was servicing a hydroponic market garden that should have been classified as commercial business.Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said of his plans to publicly shame residents who continually breach water restrictions:"If you commit some sort of offence and go before a magistrate your details are in the public domain; now conceivably somebody who is a water restriction offender . . . I suppose that they could expect to be treated in the same way." Deputy Mayor David Hinchliffe has revealed that only some of Brisbane's worst 100 water wasters-who use an average of 8000 litres a day-had been contacted by the council to explain. Cr Hinchliffe said last night it was clear the council needed more powers to inspect properties, and he would lobby the State Government to legislate to allow council officers to do so uninvited.Currently, council officers cannot enter a resident's property unless they have the approval of the owner or there has been a dangerous dog attack."Frankly, I think the drought has raised the priority of the issue and maybe we need to look at powers of entry and we'll certainly be speaking to the State Government about that," Cr Hinchliffe said. PS:Is this situation gonna usher some more "government super powers over citizwns" in Australia...?It's already happening in other parts of the world!!!We'll have to watch and wait!!!
As in the days of Noah...
