Sunbury residents charged thousands in water bill mishap

Shocked Yarra Valley Water customers have been hit with water bills as high as $1000, after a billing stuff-up. But don’t panic — if you’re affected, here’s what you can do.

Many homeowners have been overcharged by Yarra Valley Water in a billing stuff-up.

Shocked Yarra Valley Water customers have been hit with water bills as high as $1000, after a billing mishap. But don’t panic — if you’re affected, here’s what you can do.

A swag of Sunbury residents have found themselves owing almost $1000, after an annual charge was backdated several years.

The $77.10 annual fee is collected by Yarra Valley Water on behalf of Parks Victoria, to maintain parks, zoos, the Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Sunbury pensioner Wendy Miceli told the Leader she was shocked after being billed $960.

“I was in complete disbelief. I couldn’t work out why I owed that much for the parks fee,” she said.

RISING WATER BILLS FORCE HUME FAMILIES TO CUT BACK ON ESSENTIALS

YARRA VALLEY RESIDENTS OVERCHARGED ON RATES AFTER BLUNDER

FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM FALLING WATER PRICES

“I’m on a pension and that’s a lot of money to be asked to pay out in one lump sum.”

After going through her files, she realised she hadn’t been billed for the parks fee for about 12 years.

Yarra Valley Water acting retail services general manager Joe Gargaro said told the Leader the bills were “sent in error”.

Mr Gargaro urged customers to contact them if they thought they had been affected.

“We apologise for any confusion this may have caused and thank the customers who contacted us to bring the situation to our attention,” he said.

“Yarra Valley Water’s practice is to waive charges in circumstances like this.”

Ms Miceli was concerned about the potential impact on others.

“How many other people is this happening to?” she said.

Melissa Marek ran into a similar problem in November 2017 when she was billed $557, backdated for seven years. She said she was later told the bill had been sent to an old address.

“I called them because I’d never seen a bill from Yarra Valley Water,” she said.

Ms Marek contacted the ombudsman, who helped negotiate a resolution.

“Eventually, they (Yarra Valley Water) decided to reduce the amount I owed by 50 per cent,” she said.

Mr Gargaro told the Leader a letter would be sent to property owners impacted by the recent error, and encouraged anyone who had been incorrectly billed to contact them on 1300 304 688.

MORE NEWS:

WHERE YOU CAN BUY PIZZA BY THE METRE

THEFT VICTIM RIDES OFF INTO THE SUNSET

RSPCA INVESTIGATE SICKENING ACT ON THE HUME HIGHWAY