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Media releases
20 December 2022

Regulator gives preliminary approval for Yarra Valley Water’s pricing plan

The Essential Services Commission has given preliminary approval to Yarra Valley Water’s five-year pricing submission that will see water and sewerage bills change by less than inflation in the two years from 1 July 2023.
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Media releases
20 December 2022

Preliminary approval for Westernport Water’s five-year pricing plan

The Essential Services Commission has given preliminary approval of Westernport Water’s five-year pricing plan that will see bills broadly change in line with inflation from July next year.
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Media releases
06 October 2022

Victorian water businesses submit new maximum pricing proposals to independent regulator

The prices households will pay for water services are under review as Victoria’s economic regulator examines pricing proposals from 14 of the state’s water businesses.
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Media releases
27 September 2022

New protections for Victorian water customers

The state’s economic regulator today released updated water industry standards, strengthening support and protections for Victorian consumers, particularly those facing financial difficulties.

Greater Western Water price review 2024

We have completed our review of the maximum prices that Greater Western Water can charge for services provided to its customers from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028.

Greater Western Water submitted its proposed prices on 29 September 2023. 

We assessed the proposal against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order, and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

Find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view the media release on our final decision.

View our final decision and price determination

18 June 2024
Greater Western Water final decision

PDF version

(pdf, 820.57 KB)
5 June 2024
Review of Greater Western Water's response to the ESC’s Draft Decision on expenditure forecasts - FTI Consulting

PDF version

(pdf, 276.93 KB)
18 June 2024
Greater Western Water - 2024 determination
(pdf, 1.02 MB)

Key facts from our final decision

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Typical water and sewerage bills will rise in 2024-25

Typical annual residential owner occupier water and sewerage bills in the central area will be $1,038 (including inflation) in 2024-25, a 3.1 per cent increase from $1,007 in 2023-24.

For customers in the western area, the typical annual residential owner occupier water and sewerage bills for 2024-25 will be $1,134 (including inflation), a 3.2 per cent increase from $1,099 in 2023-24.

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Tariffs

Greater Western Water’s approved tariff structure reforms have aligned its two pricing areas and will support a transition to similar prices for similar services over time.

Greater Western Water will remove the residential sewage disposal charge and introduce a combined variable charge for water and sewerage for customers in its central area. It will also remove the third step charge of the residential volumetric potable water tariff for customers in its western area.

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Five outcome commitments

Greater Western Water consulted with its customers to develop a set of outcomes, with accompanying targets to track its performance and guide service delivery each year.

Greater Western Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • Your water is safe, consistent and resilient 
  • When things go wrong, we fix them
  • We support our diverse communities and customers
  • We enable growth and help businesses thrive
  • We heal and care for Country.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

18 June 2024
Greater Western Water fact sheet
(pdf, 205.39 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 26 March and 7 May 2024. All feedback received informed our decision-making process.

  • We received 12 public submissions.
  • We held an online public forum on 2 May 2024 attended by 59 people, including members of the public, representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • Greater Western Water provided its response to our draft decision. 

The public submissions can be viewed in the resources tab of this page.

A recording of this forum can be accessed below. Topics of discussion during the forum included: 

  • revenue raising mechanisms for protection of waterways
  • incorporating customer and community voice into capital planning
  • communication of changes to capital expenditure program during the regulatory period. 

2 May 2024
Greater Western Water public forum slides
(pdf, 1.91 MB)

Find out more

Read more about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related information

Western Water price review 2020
Water price review 2018
Sector
Water

Yarra Valley Water price review 2023

We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for Yarra Valley Water customers from 1 July 2023.

We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.

View our final decision and price determination

23 June 2023
Yarra Valley Water final decision
(PDF, 647.43 KB)
FTI final report - review of new customer contribution related capital expenditure
(pdf, 809.86 KB)
23 June 2023
Yarra Valley Water price determination 2023
(pdf, 1009.84 KB)

Key facts

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Typical water and sewerage bills will rise from 1 July 2023

Typical annual residential owner occupier water and sewerage bills for 2023-24 will be $1,049 (including inflation), a 2 percent increase from $1,028 in 2022-23

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Tariffs

Yarra Valley Water will combine the sewage disposal and water usage charges for residential customers.

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Six outcome commitments

Yarra Valley Water worked with its customers to develop outcomes, with accompanying measures and targets to track its performance each year.

Yarra Valley Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • 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
  • Looking after our natural environment.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

23 June 2023
Fact sheet - Yarra Valley Water
(pdf, 273.52 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 20 December and 10 March 2023. All feedback received informed our decision making process.

  • We received three public submissions and one confidential submission.
  • We held an online public forum on 23 February 2023 attended by 37 people, including members of the public, representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • Yarra Valley Water provided two responses to our draft decision.

Topics of discussion during the forum included:

  • price elasticity and the impact of price reduction on water usage
  • actions taken to return water back to the rivers
  • proposed rebate payment back to customers

The recording of this forum can be accessed below.

The public submissions received are available in the resources tab of this page.

23 February 2023
Yarra Valley Water public forum slides
(pdf, 1.66 MB)

Find out more

Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related work

Water price review 2023
Water price review 2018
Yarra Valley Water outcomes reporting
Sector
Water
Date
Consultation closes 10 March 2023

Westernport Water price review 2023

We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for Westernport Water customers from 1 July 2023.

We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.

View our final decision and price determination

23 June 2023
Westernport Water final decision
(pdf, 648.58 KB)
23 June 2023
Westernport price determination 2023
(pdf, 986.79 KB)

Key facts from our final decision

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Typical water and sewerage bills will rise from 1 July 2023

Typical annual residential owner occupier water bills for 2023-24 will be $1,317 (including inflation), a 7.3 per cent increase from $1,227 in 2022-23.

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Tariffs

Tariff structures will generally remain the same, but with some increase in variable water charges to provide customers with more bill control.

Over 2024 to 2028, Westernport Water proposes to keep its water and sewerage prices constant (before inflation).

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Six outcome commitments

Westernport Water worked with its customers to develop outcomes, with accompanying measures and targets to track its performance each year.

Westernport Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • Provide me with high-quality drinking water
  • Reduce your environmental impact and adapt to climate change
  • Resolve sewer blockages quickly
  • Keep water interruptions to a minimum
  • Be there when I need you
  • Keep my essential services affordable.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

23 June 2023
Fact sheet - Westernport Water
(pdf, 261.6 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 20 December and 10 March 2023. All feedback received informed our decision making process.

  • We received three public submissions.
  • We held an online public forum on 16 February 2023 attended by 14 people, including members of the public, representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • Westernport Water provided its response to our draft decision.

Topics of discussion during the forum included:

  • concerns around the impact of water extraction from the Bass River
  • question on the timing of a response to the Sustainable Water Strategy

The recording of this forum can be accessed below.

The public submissions received are available in the resources tab on this page.

16 February 2023
Westernport Water public forum slides
(pdf, 729.31 KB)

Find out more

Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related work

Water price review 2023
Water price review 2018
Westernport Water outcomes reporting
Sector
Water
Date
Consultation closes 10 March 2023

Wannon Water price review 2023

We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for Wannon Water customers from 1 July 2023.

We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.

View our final decision and price determination

23 June 2023
Wannon Water final decision
(pdf, 682.36 KB)
23 June 2023
Wannon Water price determination 2023
(pdf, 1015.19 KB)

Key facts

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Typical water and sewerage bills will rise from 1 July 2023

Typical annual residential owner occupier water and sewerage bills for 2023-24 will be $1,193 (including inflation), a 7.9 per cent increase from $1,106 in 2022-23.

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Tariffs

Wannon Water will reduce its fixed water service charges by 1.2 per cent per year (before inflation) and increase its water usage charge by 2.1 per cent per year (before inflation), for residential customers, to provide greater control over bills.

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Six outcome commitments

Wannon Water worked with its customers to develop outcomes, with accompanying measures and targets to track its performance each year.

Wannon Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • Ongoing reliability of water and sewerage services
  • Ongoing protection of the environment through action and education, prioritising Country and our communities
  • Fair and reasonable bills for all
  • Improved water quality in identified communities
  • Improved customer experience of our products and services
  • Active partnerships for healthy and resilient communities.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

23 June 2023
Fact sheet - Wannon Water
(pdf, 265.49 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 6 April and 9 May 2023. All feedback received informs our decision making process.

  • We received two submissions.
  • We held an online public forum on 27 April 2023 attended by 29 members of the public and representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • Wannon Water provided a response to our draft decision. 

Topics of discussion during the forum included:

  • Wannon Water’s deep engagement on their pricing submission
  • the need for new customer contributions to be cost-reflective
  • the impact of the pricing submission on renters compared to home owners

The recording of this forum can be accessed below.

The public submissions received are available in the resources tab at this page.

27 April 2023
Wannon Water public forum slides
(pdf, 1.19 MB)

Find out more

Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related work

Water price review 2023
Water price review 2018
Wannon Water outcomes reporting
Sector
Water
Date
Consultation closes 9 May 2023

Southern Rural Water price review 2023

We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for Southern Rural Water customers from 1 July 2023.

We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.

View our final decision and price determination

23 June 2023
Southern Rural Water final decision
(PDF, 653.39 KB)
23 June 2023
Southern Rural Water price determination 2023
(pdf, 674.29 KB)

Key facts

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Bills

Irrigation customers in the Werribee and Macalister irrigation districts could see bill increases of 8.1% and 8.6% respectively per year. Bulk entitlement holders will also see bill increases around 9 per cent.

All other customers will see increases capped at inflation.

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Tariffs

Southern Rural Water is introducing application charges to address a shortfall between revenue and cost of applications. These charges will not be applied without knowledge and consent by customers.

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Five outcome commitments

Southern Rural Water worked with its customers to develop five outcomes with measures and targets to track its performance. Southern Rural Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • Reliable water
  • Sustainable water
  • Great service
  • Value community member
  • Fair and reasonable prices.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

23 June 2023
Fact sheet - Southern Rural Water
(pdf, 220.92 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 6 April and 9 May 2023. All feedback received informed our decision making process.

  • We received two submissions.
  • We held an online public forum on 1 May 2023 attended by 30 people including members of the public, representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • Southern Rural Water provided a response to our draft decision. 

Topics of discussion during the forum included:

  • the need to address the impacts of climate change immediately
  • the effectiveness of the PREMO framework, particularly regarding engagement and climate change
  • environmental water allowances in Bacchus Marsh

The recording of this forum can be accessed below.

The public submissions received are available in the resources tab of this page.

1 May 2023
Southern Rural Water public forum slides
(pdf, 1008.72 KB)

Find out more

Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related work

Water price review 2023
Water price review 2018
Southern Rural Water outcomes reporting
Sector
Water
Date
Consultation closes 9 May 2023

South Gippsland Water price review 2023

We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for South Gippsland Water customers from 1 July 2023.

We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.

You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.

View our final decision and price determination

23 June 2023
South Gippsland Water final decision
(PDF, 638.01 KB)
FTI final report - review of new customer contribution related capital expenditure
(pdf, 788.68 KB)
23 June 2023
South Gippsland Water price determination 2023
(pdf, 962.62 KB)

Key Facts

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Typical water and sewerage bills will rise from 1 July 2023

Typical annual residential owner occupier bills for 2023-24 will be $1,265 (including inflation), a 9.6 per cent increase from $1,154 in 2022-23.

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Tariffs

South Gippsland Water’s water tariff structure between fixed and volumetric, will remain unchanged for the period between  2023–28.

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Five outcome commitments

South Gippsland Water worked with its customers to develop outcomes, with accompanying measures and targets to track its performance each year.

South Gippsland Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:

  • Reliability - plan for the future, be reliable and minimise unplanned interruptions to services
  • Water - provide safe, clean drinking water
  • Wastewater - safe wastewater service that contributes to the liveability of our communities
  • Environment - be environmentally sustainable and adapt to a future impacted by climate variability
  • Integrity - we will act with honesty, respect and strive to balance affordability, value-for-money and fairness.

Read our fact sheet on the final decision

23 June 2023
Fact sheet - South Gippsland Water
(pdf, 285.92 KB)

Consultation on our draft decision

We consulted on our draft decision between 30 March and 9 May 2023. All feedback received informed our decision making process.

  • We received three submissions.
  • We held a public forum on 28 April 2023 attended by 22 people online and 20 in person, including representatives from the water business and commission staff.
  • South Gippsland Water provided a response to our draft decision. 

Topics of discussion during the forum included:

  • waste water into Venus Bay
  • water supplies and water pressure across different parts of the region
  • the performance of, and issues, with water treatment plants

The recording of this forum can be accessed below.

The public submissions received are available in the resources tab of this page.

28 April 2023
South Gippsland Water public forum slides
(pdf, 992.99 KB)

Find out more

Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.

Related work

Water price review 2023
South Gippsland Water price review 2020
South Gippsland Water outcomes reporting
Sector
Water
Date
Consultation closes 9 May 2023
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