The Thirroul Men's Shed members desperately need a $7500 water bill to be waived otherwise they face having to close down the invaluable community group.
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The men were only alerted to a problem when they noticed a loss in water pressure in March last year. They rent their site at Thirroul train station car park from the Railway Accident Response Unit.
It was determined that there was a leak in the supply change between the shed and metre, and it took 12 days for the issue to be fixed.
But then the men were slugged with a $7519 bill. Usually they pay about $40 to $60 per bill.
Treasurer Charlie Taylor said the bill had been hanging over their heads for more than 12 months and was a source of stress for the members.
"We have 50 members, most of whom are retired and are pensioners," Mr Taylor said.
"There is no way we can kick in the money. We feel it is most unfair for them to charge us over something we have no control over."
That's why they called on Keira MP Ryan Park, who wrote to Sydney Water asking for the bill to be waived. However, the organisation only agreed to reduced the bill by half.
But Mr Park said that was still not good enough and is calling on the Minister for Water Melinda Pavey to step in and waive the full amount.
"This is a shed that does incredibly important work in our community," he said. "The members give generously to charities. They don't need this.
"It is bureaucratic bungling at its worst.
"There is a real risk that if they were forced to pay it, they would simply have to shut down."
Mr Park said the shed was a great place for men to gather, socialise, do odd jobs and create wood and metal pieces.
"This is a volunteer organisation run by men who give so much to the local community but also get so much out of gathering at the shed," he said.
""It runs on the smell of an oily rag.
"They can't find $3000 to pay a bill they shouldn't have to pay a single dollar for.
"We need the minister to get involved and get rid of the bill so the men can get back on the tools."
Mr Taylor said the shed recently donated tools and organised Bunnings vouchers for bushfire-affected communities near Picton.
He said there was a better use for their money, which is earned through Bunnings barbeques and selling their pieces, than paying a water bill.
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