This means typical annual water and sewerage bills for residential owner occupier customers will increase 7.3 per cent – from $1,227 to $1,317 – from 1 July 2023.
For the remaining four years to 2028, typical annual water and sewerage prices for residential customers will increase each year in line with inflation.
The final decision follows a detailed proposal by Westernport Water, which was carefully scrutinised by the commission, and consultation with customers and the community on a draft decision released in December last year.
The commission’s director of pricing Marcus Crudden says Westernport Water has initiatives in place to support customers experiencing vulnerability, including increasing its use of grants and its assistance to customers to access government rebates to address affordability for customers experiencing financial difficulty.
“We encourage customers to contact Westernport 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 Westernport 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 16 February 2023. Themes raised during the forum included the sustainability of water extraction from waterways given climate change and increasing demand.
Westernport Water has committed to a number of key outcomes over the five-year pricing period, reflecting customer priorities: Provide high-quality drinking water; reduce its environmental impact and adapt to climate change; resolve sewer blockages quickly; keep water interruptions to a minimum; be there when needed; and keep essential services affordable.
“Westernport Water has engaged with its customers to develop these outcomes which are aimed at improving customer service levels. Over the five-year pricing period, it will invest $42 million in capital works, including investing in water quality improvements, reducing its carbon emissions, and generally responding to growth in its region.”
The Essential Services Commission thanks customers and stakeholders for their submissions and participation in the price review process, including with Westernport Water as it prepared its proposal.
