Unitywater, Urban Utilities lock in water price hikes across southeast Queensland regions

Tens of thousands of households across SEQ including in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa will be hit with rising water bill costs from July 1.

Both Unity Water and Urban Utilities have released their price hikes for the next financial year starting next week.

Households across southeast Queensland face rising water and sewerage costs from July 1, with both Unitywater and Urban Utilities confirming price increases for the 2025–26 financial year.

Unitywater, which services Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, announced today that the average residential customer will pay an extra $1.59 per week or about $20.75 more each quarterly bill.

The other water distributor in the southeast, Urban Utilities, which services Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset regions, also confirmed its 2025–26 price rises last week.

From July 1, Urban Utilities customers will see a 3.6 per cent rise in their household water and sewerage bills, which equates to $14 more each quarter for the typical residential property.

The increase supports what Unitywater describes as critical investment in infrastructure and operations as the region braces for some of the fastest population growth in the country.

Unitywater chief executive Anna Jackson said the utility needed to keep pace with escalating operational costs and a rising demand for water and wastewater services.

“Our bills cover the costs of operating, maintaining and growing networks and treatment plants, and the assurance of 24/7 teams ready to respond,” Ms Jackson said.

“Key expenses for our business, like energy, construction materials and treatment chemicals, continue to rise.”

Ms Jackson said Unitywater would invest more than $450 million during 2025–26 to upgrade its pipes, pumps and treatment facilities.

Over the next five years, the organisation plans to spend $2 billion to support the forecast arrival of more than 500,000 new residents across its service region.

State government bulk water charges, which fund catchment management and dam upgrades, are also included in Unitywater’s pricing.

Ms Jackson said customers needing help to manage rising costs should contact the utility early to access a range of support options, including short-term payment extensions, smoothed billing and personalised payment plans.

Both Unity Water and Urban Utilities have released their price hikes for the next financial year starting next week.

Urban Utilities said the increase was necessary to maintain high service standards and support the growing needs of the communities it serves.

Both Unitywater and Urban Utilities have stressed the importance of long-term planning to maintain water security and service reliability in the face of rising costs and demand pressures.

Unitywater’s service area spans suburbs from Everton Hills in Brisbane’s north to Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast.

Urban Utilities provides water and sewerage services to more than 1.6 million people across southeast Queensland, including the fast-growing Ipswich and Scenic Rim regions.

Customers who may need assistance paying upcoming bills can access financial hardship programs through both utilities.

Unitywater customers can call 1300 086 489 or visit unitywater.com/support, while Urban Utilities provides resources at urbanutilities.com.au.

Originally published as Unitywater, Urban Utilities lock in water price hikes across southeast Queensland regions