GMW water prices decided, no uniform tariff yet

GOULBURN Murray Water’s hopes of introducing a uniform pricing tariff have been dashed.

GOULBURN Murray Water’s hopes of introducing a uniform pricing tariff have been dashed.

The Essential Services Commission today released its final decision on GMW’s prices until 2020.

Shepparton has been left separate from the other five water districts to receive a different pricing structure.

GMW had wanted common pricing across all six irrigation districts.

Farmers and particularly the GMW’s own water services committees had opposed the move.

ESC chair Dr Ron Ben-­David said the decision would reduce water bills for many GMW customers.

“Large and medium gravity irrigation customers will see prices fall by up to 10 per cent but we acknowledge that some small customers will see small price rises due to changes in same fixed costs including meter costs,” he said.

“The impact on bills will vary from customer to customer.”

He said the key issue during the review was the implementation of tariff reform for irrigation customers, and in particular GMW’s initial proposal to charge a standard fee across all of its irrigation districts.

“The commission’s final decision approves GMW’s shift towards common tariffs for irrigation customers across five irrigation districts, with only Shepparton to have a separate tariff.”

Also in the final decision, the ESC:

APPROVED changes to service point fees.

APPROVED diversion tariff structures with a four year transition.

APPROVED bulk water charges including increases in smaller basins.

CONTINUED with a revenue cap form of price control.

APPROVED the continued structure for drainage and pumped irrigation.