This is Greater Western Water’s first price review, following the merger of the former City West Water and Western Water businesses in 2021.
Greater Western Water’s service area includes Melbourne's CBD, inner and north-western suburbs through the Melton and Sunbury growth corridors to Bacchus Marsh and the Macedon Ranges.
Greater Western Water’s proposal for the four years from 1 July 2024 leads to a decrease in a typical annual customer bill for most customers.
The commission’s executive director of pricing Marcus Crudden said Greater Western Water will deliver several key initiatives to support customer value.
“Among its key initiatives, Greater Western Water will increase investment in assets to maintain service quality and reliability, responding to challenges from climate change and population growth. Given ongoing cost of living pressures it is pleasing to see the business commit to increased financial support those experiencing hardship,” Mr Crudden said.
“To further integration of the previously merged businesses, Greater Western Water has also established a common set of customer outcomes across its regions and will further harmonise water and sewerage tariff structures over the next four years, in line with customer preferences”.
Building on its engagement, Greater Western Water will take a caring-for-Country approach to its land and waterways in partnership with Traditional Owners, agencies, and community members, supported by its new outcome ‘heal and care for Country’.
Mr Crudden said the commission’s draft decision was open for feedback to inform a final decision on prices to be released in June.
“Our draft decision proposes some reductions to Greater Western Water’s forecast costs and also seeks more information in other areas including new customer contributions, to inform our final decision,” he said.
All submissions will be considered before the commission releases its final decision and issues a price determination in June 2024.
Estimated typical water and sewerage bills (residential) for an average 150 kL per annum consumption based on Greater Western Water’s proposal (2023-24)
