This means typical annual water and sewerage bills for residential owner occupier customers will increase 2.1 per cent – from $1,028 to $1,049 – 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 0.4 per cent per year, before inflation.
The final decision follows a detailed proposal by Yarra Valley 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 Yarra Valley Water has initiatives in place to support customers experiencing vulnerability.
“We encourage customers to contact Yarra Valley 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 Yarra Valley 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 23 February.
Yarra Valley Water has committed to a number of key outcomes over the five-year pricing period, reflecting customer priorities: safe and pleasant drinking water; reliable water and sewerage services; timely response and repair; service that meets everyone’s needs; saving water for the future; and looking after our natural environment. It will also embed Caring for Country in all decisions, including its approach to delivering on its outcome commitments and targets.
Yarra Valley Water will invest $1,962 million in capital works in areas such as climate resilience including reducing carbon emissions (targeting a net zero position by 2025) and enhancing asset security, and water quality.
The Essential Services Commission thanks customers and stakeholders for their submissions and participation in the price review process, including with Yarra Valley Water as it prepared its proposal.
