We have approved the prices Southern Rural Water can charge from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.
Southern Rural Water price review 2023
- Guidance paper26 October 2021
- Southern Rural Water price submission30 September 2022
- Consultation closes1 December 2022
- Draft decision6 April 2023
- Consultation closes9 May 2023
- Final decision23 June 2023
- New prices apply1 July 2023
Overview
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
Key facts
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.
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.
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
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.
Find out more
Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.
Resources
Our final decision and price determination
Submissions on our draft decision
Southern Rural Water's price submission
Feedback on Southern Rural Water's price submission
We consulted on Southern Rural Water's price submission until 1 December 2022 mostly via Engage Victoria. We received 4 submissions that included feedback on its approach to recreational charges, compliance as well as waterways management.
We address feedback in our draft decision on Southern Rural Water's proposals.
Guidance
Our guidance to Southern Rural Water on preparing its price submission.
Interactive fact sheet
In June 2023 the Essential Services Commission released its final decision on Southern Rural Water’s price submission. The final decision completes our review of the maximum prices that Southern Rural Water may charge for its services for a five-year regulatory period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.