Metered standpipes provide a fair and equitable way to ensure charges reflect actual water consumption. Standpipes are used to obtain water directly from hydrants on our mains for activities such as road works, water carting and concrete sawing.
You must not use non-Council standpipes to draw water from Council's water supply system or hydrants. Fines apply for breaches.
To draw water from our reticulation system, you must hire a metered standpipe through our Water and Waste Department on either a short term or long term basis.
Hiring a standpipe
Hire Type | Typical Users | Charges |
|---|---|---|
Short Term Up to 7 days | Builders, Filling swimming pools etc. | Security Bond Deposit - $150.00 Hire Rate - $6.20 per day Minimum Hire Charge - $43.40 Charge for additional days - $50.00 per day Hire Application Form (short term) Conditions of Hire and Use Water Usage Charge - Commercial Rate $1.26 per kilolitre |
Long Term 8 days to 6 months | Water Trucks, Property Developers etc. | Security Bond Deposit - $1250.00 Hire Rate - $1.90 per day Water Usage Charge - Commercial Rate $1.26 per kilolitre Late monthly read (inc. GST) - $24.40 for each day overdue, up to a maximum of 5 days. Credit Application Form Hire Application Form (long term) Conditions of Hire and Use |
Applying for a metered standpipe
Short term hire
Download the Metered Standpipe Hire Agreement form ( PDF, 0.2 MB ), complete and present it to Cairns Regional Council Customer Service Centre, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns QLD 4870, 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday – Friday, along with payment of the security bond. Please ensure you have read the conditions of hire and use before signing the application form. Photo identification will be required when you lodge your application.
Long term hire
If you do not have an existing trade account with Cairns Regional Council, please complete and submit a Metered Standpipe Credit Application ( PDF, 0.06 MB ). A credit check will be performed prior to the approval to hire a metered standpipe. Please ensure your application is fully completed as any incomplete applications will be returned.
Send your completed credit application to Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, Cairns QLD 4870, or email to council@cairns.qld.gov.au. We will assess your application and notify you of the decision within 3 working days, dependant upon referee's response.
If your credit application is successful or you have previously hired a metered standpipe on a long term basis please complete a Metered Standpipe Hire Agreement form ( PDF, 0.2 MB ) and present to Cairns Regional Council Customer Service Centre as stated in the previous section.
How am I charged for the water used?
Short term hire
Water consumption charges are based on the reading once the metered standpipe has been returned to our Customer Service Centre. The reading on return less the reading at issue, equals the consumption to be charged.
Long term hire
Water consumption charges are based on a monthly reading. A self read form will be forwarded to you at the end of each month. The current monthly reading less last month' s reading equals the consumption to be charged for the month. Failure to supply a reading by the due date may result in a late fee.
Enquiries
For enquiries relating to the standpipe hire, issuing and reading, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 69 22 47.
Report all defects
If your metered standpipe develops any significant leaks (slight o-ring seal weep is acceptable), suffers any mechanical damage, or fails to operate properly, notify Cairns Regional Council Customer Service immediately on 1300 69 22 47 (24 hrs 7 days) and we will arrange for its repair or replacement.
