WATER PRICES TO RISE

Gippsland Water residential customers’ bills are to rise by an average $20 next financial year.

Gippsland’s increase, 1.5 per cent on the current year, was one of only three among the state’s 16 water and sewerage service businesses where rises were approved last week by the Essential Services Commission. And it was the largest. The good news for customers, however, is that there’ll be no further increases over the following four years other than adjustments in line with inflation (the Consumer Price Index).

According to the ESC’s assessment the average bill for households in the Gippsland Water area will be $1334 next financial year.

That’s the third highest in the state.

Even with the increase in charges next year Gippsland Water says prices have not risen beyond the rate of inflation for the past five years and will remain at CPI or less for the next five years.

Residential water prices comprise a service fee for availability of reticulated supply ($177.04 per year) plus a per kilolitre usage charge ($2.0472) while there is a fixed fee of $813.34 for sewerage services.

Non-residential users pay the same service availability and water usage charges but also will pay $3.8749 per kilolitre for discharges into the sewerage system.

Gippsland Water’s managing director Sarah Cumming said the organisation had worked really hard to keep downward pressure on prices and, through annual rebates, has passed on more than $8 million in efficiency savings.

She said the five-year business plan also outlined key projects to be delivered and the introduction of enhanced customer guaranteed service levels.

More than $200 million will be invested in infrastructure over the next five years to support the region’s growth and sustainability, Ms Cumming added.

The largest capital project will be a new wastewater treatment plant at Drouin expected to cost $33.3 million and due to be completed in 2022.

A new water main around the western side of Warragul that will supply both Warragul and Drouin will boost supply and reliability to the growing towns.

It is expected to be finished by 2023 at a cost of $8.9 million.

A further $25.2 million will be spent on replacing ageing water and sewerage pipes over the next five years.

Gippsland Water owns and maintains 1700 kilometres of sewer pipes and 2000 kilometres of water pipes.

Ms Cumming added that the business plan continued support for customers that have difficulty paying bills and urged they contact Gippsland Water that offers a range of payment options to suit customers’ needs.