Brisbane council waives Silverspot nursery’s sewer charges for two years

Brisbane City Council on March 5 approved a motion to waive the sewer portion of utility charges for Silverspot Nursery School for the two‑year term of its lease and to credit any sewer payments the school has already made. The council left the water portion of the bill in place and asked staff to return with a review of the lease at the agreed check‑in date.

Silverspot representatives Jessica and Diana told the council they had expected to pay roughly $500 a year for utilities but received bills that, once sewer charges were included, could total about $3,000 annually. “We just can't afford the $500 every two months,” Jessica said, explaining the nonprofit had budgeted for a much lower annual amount and that higher bills would divert funds from classroom needs and student activities.

Staff said the original lease discussions and staff reports had emphasized the water component, but did not include full billing detail that would have reflected sewer charges. Assistant city manager Jeremy Dennis and finance director Carolina Yuan were asked to confirm how earlier communications set the school’s expectation. Council members pressed staff on whether the lease included an ability to waive charges; staff said the lease could be amended if the council wished.

Several council members and public speakers emphasized Silverspot’s community role. One speaker noted the school provides tuition assistance and other subsidies; Silverspot’s Diana said the program already provides more than $2,000 annually in tuition help to members in need. Councilmembers discussed options including time to budget for the new costs, the effect of earlier rent increases, and the risk of setting precedents for other tenants.

Councilmember Lance moved to waive the sewer portion going forward, require Silverspot to continue covering the water component, and credit back any sewer charges already paid; the mayor seconded the motion and it passed by a voice vote with no opposition. The council directed staff to return with financial detail at the lease review (the council had intended to revisit how the lease was working within the lease term). The motion did not change rent or the tuition‑assistance offset already negotiated in the lease.

The council’s action relieves the nursery of the more variable sewer charge while leaving the water charge and broader lease terms in place; staff will prepare a follow‑up report for the council’s scheduled lease review.