Water authorities throughout Australia have outlined their new pricing proposals for the 2015/16 financial year. Both increases and decreases in customer bills will soon come into effect across the county.
Barwon Water (VIC)
Barwon Water’s water, sewerage and recycled water prices for customers for the 2015/2016 financial year are in line with the 2013–2018 Water Plan, which focuses on easing cost-of-living pressures on the community.
The independent Essential Services Commission has approved a price decrease of 7.6 per cent over the life of the Water Plan (1.6 per cent each year), excluding inflation.
Once CPI of 1.33 per cent is applied, customer prices will decrease by 0.30 per cent for the 2015/2016 financial year.
A further decrease of $0.24 will apply to the quarterly sewerage service charge as a result of savings associated with the Carbon Tax repeal in 2014.
For an average residential customer using 160 kilolitres of water a year, this translates into a decrease of around $4.15 annually. Bills vary depending on usage.
City West Water (VIC)
City West Water has confirmed prices for water, sewerage and trade waste will increase from 1 July 2015.
A typical yearly household water bill will increase 3.2 per cent to around $1044 per year, which represents an increase of 63c per week. All price increases include an adjustment for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 1.3 per cent.
Acting CEO, Sam Torre, said prices rises had been kept to an absolute minimum, and City West Water customers continue to enjoy the lowest average household water bills in Melbourne.
“Last year City West Water undertook an exhaustive review of all areas of expenditure in our business, and we identified a number of efficiency savings that have enabled us to continue to deliver improved services to our customers without significant price increases.
And, residential customers will receive the $100 Government Water Rebate on bills issued between July and September, which will lower costs for households even further,” said Mr Torre.
Mr Torre said even with the relatively small increase in prices and the $100 rebate, he is aware that some customers may experience financial difficulty, and reminded customers of the range of options available to help pay their water bill.
Sydney Water (NSW)
Sydney Water has proposed that households will save about $100 each year, for four years from July 2016, as part of its recently released pricing proposal.
Sydney Water’s Managing Director, Kevin Young, said the proposal to reduce customer bills for 2016–20 was thanks to two key factors.
“Over the last four years we’ve been able to make some significant efficiency gains as a business, without compromising the quality of service we offer our customers,” said Mr Young.
Sydney Water is also proposing to increase engagement with customers and continue to improve its understanding of customer expectations.
Icon Water (ACT)
From 1 July 2015, Icon Water’s water and sewerage prices will slightly increase which will mean a change for an average residential customer* of around $0.15 a week, or $2 on their quarterly bill.
On average, water bills will decrease by 1.5 per cent and sewerage bills will increase by 3.5 per cent. These price changes are in response to the annual price adjustment by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and will enable Icon Water to continue to supply Canberra with top quality water and sewerage services.
Icon Water, Canberra’s water and sewerage utility, provides essential services to the community so that every time you turn on your tap, you can enjoy Canberra’s highest quality drinking water. Every time you flush your toilet, we remove the waste, before treating it to a high standard, keeping our urban lakes and waterways clean, and minimising our impact on downstream users.
