Goulburn-Murray Water’s prices set to fall from July

The state’s independent pricing regulator has released a draft decision that would see Goulburn-Murray Water’s prices fall by around 10 per cent on average, from July this year, depending on the service.

Goulburn-Murray Water is the state’s largest irrigation water service provider and covers the region from the Murray River in the north to the great dividing range in the south.

The Essential Services Commission’s draft decision comes after our review of Goulburn-Murray Water’s expenditure forecasts and proposed tariff reforms.

The commission’s director of pricing Marcus Crudden said that the lower prices would not impact service standards.

“The price reductions proposed by Goulburn-Murray Water reflect cost efficiencies arising from investments in modernising irrigation infrastructure and other business savings,” he said.

Mr Crudden said that the draft decision also approves Goulburn-Murray Water’s proposal to harmonise prices across its six irrigation districts, with Shepparton previously on different prices.

“Goulburn-Murray Water’s customer engagement indicated support for a single charge, and it would be simpler for the business to administer. Goulburn-Murray Water also provided justification that its costs to service the Shepparton district are now more aligned with the other districts.”

Mr Crudden also noted that Goulburn-Murray Water’s price submission was of a high quality and heavily informed by an extensive engagement program.

The commission has requested that Goulburn-Murray Water provide more information on some of its proposed tariff reforms, including service point fees.

Community forums are planned for Wednesday 15 April in Shepparton and Thursday 16 April in Kerang. Customers can find details, and have their say on the draft decision, on Engage Victoria. Submissions close 24 April and a final decision is due in June.

The commission is also separately reviewing water prices for South Gippsland Water and Western Water, with final decisions also due in June this year for new prices to take effect from July.