IPART Water review: Central Coast Council recommends price drop
Water users will be paying less for water if Central Coast Council gets its way. Those living in the old Wyong LGA will not be as happy as those in the old Gosford LGA.
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GOSFORD ratepayers could save more than $200 a year, while Wyong ratepayers could save just $27 under Central Coast Council recommendations to a major water pricing review.
Central Coast Council has recommended average water, sewerage and stormwater bills be dropped across the region as part of its submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Council is proposing the water usage price be reduced to $2.20 per kl. It was previously $2.34 per kl in 2016/17.
A reduction in water service charges to $113.20 per year is also recommended, with former Gosford LGA customers currently paying $197.81 and Wyong LGA paying $164.63.
Residential stormwater drainage charges could be dropped to $110.77 per year and residential sewerage service charge to $538.70 per year, a slight increase compared to Wyong LGA customers who currently pay $483.28.
This could see total annual water bills drop to $1,092 across the Coast, a $27 saving for former Wyong ratepayers and a $245 saving for former Gosford ratepayers.
Council has also recommended non-residential sewerage usage be reduced to 40 cents per kl, with non-residential sewerage discharge volume to be reduced to 112.5 kl per year. This will result in a decrease in charges for some customers and an increase for others.
IPART is expected to finalise the Central Coast’s water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices in May 2019, with changes to take effect from July 2019.
Council’s senior manager for water and sewer Bileen Nel said council was proposing to align prices across the two former local government areas, improve a number of key service levels and reduce the typical residential water bill.
“Price consistency across the Central Coast was a top priority for our community and we have listened to this feedback,” Ms Nel said.
“Our submission is also built around the top three values for these services identified by our community – reliability, value for money and efficiency.
“A number of capital works programs have been identified to improve water supply security for our region including an upgrade to the Mangrove Creek Dam spillway, which was highlighted by our community as a key consideration.”
IPART will now consider council’s submission. The community is also able to give feedback direct to IPART by October 12 or by attending IPART’s Public Hearing on November 27.
Ms Nel said council will also hold community information sessions this month.