Water and sewerage bill prices are set to rise in most parts of Victoria, with hikes hitting regional Victorians harder than their metropolitan neighbours.
The Essential Services Commission has reviewed price proposals from the state’s water companies and says bills will jump on average by $74 in the regions and roughly $22 in and around Melbourne from July 1.
The independent regulator’s pricing director Marcus Crudden said Victorian water businesses recognised the impact price increases would have on customers.
“In Victoria, water businesses must provide payment assistance to households and small businesses,” Mr Crudden said in a statement.
“If you’re having trouble keeping up with your water bills, contact your water business and ask for help.”
Assistance could include payment plans, help with utility relief grant applications and tips on reducing usage, he said.
The Essential Services Commission consulted with water companies, customers and other groups before determining the maximum price increases that could be charged over the next five years.
Customers of South Gippsland Water, Coliban Water, and East Gippsland Water will cop the highest price increases, with their quarterly water bills to increase between $93 (7.5 per cent) and $111 (9.6 per cent).
Mr Crudden said Victorian water businesses had considered affordability, service delivery, water security, and local environmental concerns in their price proposals.
“There is significant infrastructure investment planned across the businesses, with more than $6.5b in capital investment in infrastructure, including around $2.7bn in regional Victoria,” he said.
In the face of rising interest rates and construction costs, water companies needed to improve their efficiency across the five-year pricing period, Mr Crudden said.
– AAP
