Standpipe Hire

Standpipes may be hired per day, week or year.

You may apply to hire a metered standpipe by completing the online application.

Once your application has been approved and payment made, the standpipe can be collected from council’s Paget depot from 7.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (not including public holidays).

All customers will hold a standpipe license when in possession of a standpipe, this license is referred to as STANDP-# this is to be referenced when discussing standpipe assets.

All customers are required to hold a bond for each standpipe that are in their possession.

To allow for monthly invoicing to be processed, customers are required to provide council with a full-length photo of the standpipe, the standpipe meter and a signed completed logbook on the 22nd day of each month.

Late fees will apply for every day that the meter read is overdue. Interest charges will be applied to overdue balances as per councils’ Debt Recovery Policy(PDF, 460KB))

An inspection date will occur every third month from the commencement of the initial hire, the standpipe must be taken to council’s Paget Depot, located at 80 Crichtons Road where it will be inspected and maybe tested, along with a meter read recorded.

Hire fees:

• Per day: $27.00
• Per week: $103.00
• Annual Hire: $2,722.00

Bond (deposit): $2000 per Standpipe

Water usage: $4.10 per kilolitre

Late Return Penalties:           

• First Day - $119.00
• Subsequent Days - $27.00 per day

The customer must notify council promptly of changes to contact or billing details.

Casual Hire: Daily or Weekly

All hirers must pay the bond before commencing hire. If a bond is not received, the hire will not proceed. All hirers will start on a 6 month-hire basis. After 6 months, if the hirer wishes to continue, the hirer will transition from a casual hire to annual hire.

At the beginning of hire, council will issue a logbook to the hirer. The logbook is used by the hirer to record accurate daily meter readings (date, time, and location of each reading). The logbook is returned to council at the end of the hire period so that charges can be calculated.

Bulk water consumption charges are calculated, along with the weekly hire (if applicable) and an invoice issued for payment.

Annual Hire

If the hirer has transitioned from casual to annual hirer the hirer will continue to complete the council issued logbook. The logbook is used by the hirer to record accurate daily meter readings (date, time, and location of each reading).

Logbook readings to be provided to council by the 22^nd day of each month:

• Completing the online standpipe meter read form, or
• Presenting the logbook in person at council’s Paget depot, or
• Emailing relevant pages to standpipes@mackay.qld.gov.au

Bulk water consumption charges are calculated, and an invoice issued for payment . Should submission surpass the 22^nd day of the month, fees will apply. To allow for monthly invoicing to be processed, customers are required to provide Council with a full-length photo of the standpipe, the standpipe meter and a signed completed logbook, each month that is not an inspection date .

The logbook is returned to council at the end of the hire period.

Log books are to be supplied regardless of whether water consumption occurred or not for that current month.

Late fees will apply for every day that the meter read is overdue These details are to be issued to standpipes@mackay.qld.gov.au on return due date.

Physical inspections of standpipes are required six monthly, each May and November and must be presented at the administration building located at council’s Paget Depot located at 80 Crichtons Road.

In the event of a theft of a standpipe, the hirer must lodge a report with the police and inform council immediately of the theft of a standpipe along with the police reference number.

In the event of the loss of a standpipe, the hirer should immediately inform council of the loss.

If a standpipe becomes defective or is damaged in any way, it must be immediately returned to council and a “damaged standpipe return form” must be completed by the hirer.

Council reserves the right to recover all costs incurred because of theft, loss or damage of the standpipe from the hirer whilst it is in their possession. The bond paid by the hirer may be used to recover all or part of the incurred costs.

If any damage to council’s water or other infrastructure occurs whilst the hirer is using the standpipe, council should be notified on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) immediately of the full details of the incident as well as the identifiable damage.

Council reserves the right to recover all costs incurred as a result damage to infrastructure caused during the use of the standpipe from the hirer.

Standpipes must be returned to the Paget Depot, located at 80 Crichtons Road within the reception hours of 7:30am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Late fees will apply for every day that the meter read is overdue. Interest charges will be applied to overdue balances as per councils’ Debt Recovery Policy(PDF, 460KB).

A two-day extension on the meter read and physical inspection may be granted without being charged late fees if the hirer contacts council at least one day prior to the due date. Standard daily hire charges in accordance with council’s fees will apply to the period of the extension. Please refer to hire fees, bonds, and water charges for daily hire fees.

Use of Standpipe

• Only persons trained or deemed competent by Council may use a metered standpipe. The customer is responsible for ensuring all operators are trained and follow Council’s instructions for use.
• The hirer is solely and fully responsible for ensuring that the standpipe is used in a manner that:
  • will not be a risk to public health and safety or cause damage to property.
  • is in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations.
  • will not cause damage to water or other infrastructure of Mackay Regional Council.
  • will not waste water; and
  • is not a misuse of the standpipe.
• It is the hirer’s responsibility to ensure that the standpipe is only used strictly in accordance with council's “instructions for use of a standpipe” and in keeping with all relevant legislation.
• The hirer must not alter the meter or tamper or alter any part of the standpipe.
• Metered standpipes are non-transferable and remain the property of Mackay Regional Council. They must not be leave the Mackay region nor lent, leased or otherwise supplied to third parties.
• In the event the hirer is unable to remove the standpipe from the hydrant or is unable to stop the flow of water, council must be notified immediately.
• The standpipe and logbook must be made available for inspection by an authorised person of council.
• If the customer is a domestic water carrier supplying water for human consumption, they must hold and maintain any licences required under the Food Act 2006 (Qld) and ensure their vessels are suitable for potable water only.

Drawing of Water

• The customer must provide all hoses and fittings required and ensure they are in good working order. The Customer must provide a safe working environment, not impede traffic or access, and ensure public safety at all times when accessing authorised hydrant fill points.
• Water can only be drawn from hydrants located within the boundaries of the council. It is the responsibility of the hirer to inform themselves of the said boundaries of council.
• Drawing of water must be limited to the hydrant locations as identified in the agreement.
• Except where the standpipe is fitted with a backflow prevention device, all water containers receiving water through the use of the Standpipe must be fitted with an air gap.
• Full details of all instances of drawing water from hydrants must be recorded in the logbook provided.
• Under no circumstances must water be drawn directly off trunk mains.
• Water must only be drawn for the project identified in the agreement or purpose identified in the agreement and must not be wasted or used in a manner that poses a risk to public health, safety or property, or that may damage council water or other infrastructure.

Complying With Council Directions

• The hirer shall comply with any reasonable direction given by an officer of council with regard to the standpipe.

Indemnity and Release

The customer indemnifies council against loss, damage, cost or expense arising from the Customer’s use of the metered standpipe or taking of water, including death or personal injury, property damage, consequential loss, and liability to third parties, except to the extent caused by council’s negligence or wilful misconduct.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Customer releases council from liability for loss arising from failure or interruption of supply at authorised hydrant fill points.

Privacy

Council collects personal information to process and manage standpipe approvals and use in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). Personal information may be accessed by council employees, contractors and other government agencies where authorised or required by law.

By applying for and using a metered standpipe, the customer consents to council contacting them via the details provided (including SMS or email) about authorised hydrant fill points, compliance and account matters.

For enquiries relating to standpipe hiring, issuing and reading, please contact council's Customer Experience Administrator team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email standpipes@mackay.qld.gov.au.