Barwon Water customers to be slugged more for water from July

Barwon Water customers will be slugged an extra $65 annually from July 1, after the authority was given the green light to increase bills by 6 per cent.

Barwon Water interim managing director Shaun Cumming, pictured in 2019, said customers who could not afford to pay their bills had options. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Barwon Water customers will be slugged an extra $65 annually from July 1, after the authority was given the green light to increase bills by 6 per cent.

The Essential Services Commission on Friday released its final decision on Barwon Water’s five year pricing plan.

According to the commission, typical annual water and sewerage bills for residential owner occupier customers will increase by around six per cent – from $1,076 to $1,141 – from July 1.

For customers using 160kL per year on average, this translates to an additional $5.42 per month for owner-occupiers and $1.80 per month for renters.

Barwon Water’s interim managing director Shaun Cumming argued the increase was calculated to be a decrease “in real terms”, protecting customers experiencing the full impact of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price index (CPI).

“We have tried to shield our customers,” Mr Cumming said.

“2023-24 bills for residential owner-occupiers are 18 per cent lower in real terms than 10 years ago.”

Australia’s inflation was recorded seven per cent this year.

In Victoria, water businesses must provide payment assistance to households and small businesses.

Customers facing water bill difficulties may qualify for payment plans or assistance with utility relief grants, among other concessions.

“Anyone who needs help to manage their water bill receives assistance from us,” Mr Cumming said.

“Financial difficulties can affect anybody, and we urge our customers to reach out for assistance rather than dealing with the stress on their own. Our empathetic support team is here to assist and have a respectful, completely confidential conversation about our wide range of customer support options.”

The commission’s final decision follows a detailed proposal by Barwon Water and was approved after considering their price submission, responses to queries, consultants’ reports, and input from interested parties.

For the remaining four years to 2028, inflation, minus 0.9 per cent will be applied to typical annual water and sewerage tariffs for residential.

The authority said it was committed to engaging with customers, supporting Traditional Owner self-determination, and collaborating with agencies and community members for land and waterways management.

The plan focuses on customer priorities such as safe water, reliable services, environmental health, affordability, and value.

Barwon Water will invest $549 million in infrastructure to address the challenges of climate change, population growth, rapid technological development, equity divides and a transitioning economy.

The plan includes $166m to repair and replace ageing infrastructure, and $214m for new and upgraded infrastructure.

“Since 2017, our aim has been to enable regional prosperity through the affordable, innovative, strategic delivery of our water and sewerage services,” Mr Cumming said.

To read the price submission visit, https://www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/deliveringthefuture.

Originally published as Barwon Water customers to be slugged more for water from July