This means typical annual water and sewerage bills for residential owner occupier customers will increase 2.3 per cent – from $967 to $990 – from 1 July 2023.
For the remaining four years to 2028, typical annual water and sewerage prices for residential customers will decrease by an average of 0.1 per cent per year, before inflation.
The final decision follows a detailed proposal by South East Water which was carefully scrutinised by the commission, and consultation with customers and the community on a draft decision released in March.
The commission’s director of pricing Marcus Crudden says South East Water has initiatives in place to support customers experiencing vulnerability.
“We encourage customers to contact South East Water if they are experiencing difficulty paying bills, to discuss what assistance or arrangements can be made,” Mr Crudden said.
In Victoria, water businesses must provide payment assistance to households and small businesses. Customers who are experiencing difficulty with their water bills may be eligible for payment plans or assistance with applications for utility relief grants and other concessions.
In approving the plan, the commission considered South East Water’s price submission, and its responses to queries and the draft decision; consultants’ reports; written submissions from interested parties; and the views of participants in the public forum held on 2 May.
South East Water has committed to a number of key outcomes over the five-year pricing period, reflecting customer priorities: ‘Get the basics right, always’; ‘Warn me, inform me’; Fair and affordable for all’; ‘Make my experience better’; and ‘Support my community, protect our environment’.
Recognising the impacts of climate change and growth in its region, South East Water will invest nearly $1.9 billion in its infrastructure to help ensure quality and reliable services, the roll out of digital metering and invest in alternative water supplies. It will also invest in projects to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and emergency response planning.
South East Water will be investing to further develop and deliver its water literacy strategy to build community water knowledge and reduce water bills through behaviour change, and in a digital metering program to assist in the identification of problems at an earlier stage, to reduce disruptions and improve water savings.
“It will also invest in streamlining customer processes and providing customers with information when they need it,” Mr Crudden said.
The Essential Services Commission thanks customers and stakeholders for their submissions and participation in the price review process, including with South East Water as it prepared its proposal.
