GMW diverters in VCAT battle over “unjustified” water charges
Northern Victorian stock and domestic water users are taking their battle over "unjustified" GMW diversion fees to VCAT, claiming they're paying hundreds for services they never receive.
Northern Victorian stock and domestic water users’ seven-year battle over what they call “unjustified” Goulburn Murray Water diversion fees is due to come before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal next week.
The group is among more than 2000 Goulburn Murray Water diverters who are charged $300 to $400 a year to divert up to two megalitres of household and stock supplies from unregulated rivers and streams using their own pipes and pumps.
Diverters also face big hikes in their 15-year licence renewal fees, after the Essential Services Commission approved the fee rising from $770 last year to $845 this financial year, then $925 in 2026-27 and $1000 in 2027-28.
Group spokesman Cameron Reid said diverters were getting nothing from GMW; no inspections, no maintenance, nor contact - just an annual bill.
He said the group had repeatedly appealed against the “unfair and unjustified fees charged by Goulburn Murray Water and approved by the ESC”.
But after seven years of getting nowhere Mr Reid said the group had decided to take the ESC to VCAT over its decision to approve GMW’s diverter pricing regime.
Kevington landholder Dan James said he was the only person who maintained the siphon and pipes that supplied water from Bakers Creek to his own and four other properties.
“I’ve never seen anyone from GMW out here,” Mr James said. “So, where do these fees come into it?”
GMW charges each of the five customers on the creek a $130 service point fee, a $145 customer fee and $71 access fee, plus about $22 in resource management and water register fees.
Harrietville landholder Ian Stapleton, who diverts water from Feathertop Creek, said “the only time we hear from them (GMW) is when they send out the bill”.
“I’ve been here for 30 years and it used to be you paid a nominal fee,” Mr Stapleton said.
“People are just so ropeable. GMW just want more and more, but couldn’t care less about us.”
The ESC said it was aware of next Thursday’s VCAT case, but “we do not comment on matters currently under review”.
GMW responded to criticism of its 2024 to 2028 pricing last year by promising to improve the collection of data on activities it undertakes on unregulated streams, as well as setting up a customer reference group to “improve customers’ understanding” of its services and costs”.
