Reliable, affordable water and sewerage services the top priority

28 Jun 2024

Barwon Water will continue to deliver high quality services, major infrastructure upgrades, customer support and sustainable water initiatives for the region in 2024-25, at a rate lower than the cost of inflation.

From 1 July, quarterly residential water bills will rise by an average of $7.56 for owner/occupiers.

Quarterly bills for renters will increase by an average of $5.19.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming said the increase was below inflation.

“While the annual inflation of the costs goods and services is 3.6%, our water, sewerage and recycled water prices will increase by  2.7%, which is 0.9% below the inflation rate,” Mr Cumming said.

“By focussing on innovation and efficiency , we aim to shield our customers from the full impact of inflation.”

“Barwon Water’s prices will remain among the lowest in Australia for similar sized water corporations,” Mr Cumming said.

The price change also applies to business customers, who will see an average increase of $4.03 per month.

Mr Cumming said support was available for anyone having difficulty paying their bill.

“Anyone who needs help to manage their water bill receives assistance from us,” Mr Cumming said, noting that anyone can experience financial stress at any time.

“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.”

Customer support includes individualised payment plans and extensions as well as home plumbing assessments to help customers identify potential water efficiencies in their home, as well as grants and rebates for businesses to become more waterwise.

Mr Cumming said Barwon Water’s service standards, infrastructure works and operational investments were mapped out in the 2023-28 Price Submission, approved by the Essential Services Commission in 2023.

The price submission is the outcome of extensive community engagement and the key deliverables have been guided by customer feedback over several years.

The engagement program helped to inform the four key customer outcomes against which Barwon Water will track its performance annually over the next five years. These outcomes are:

  • safe, secure, sustainable water;
  • innovative, reliable services;
  • a healthier environment; and
  • trust, value and affordability.

Key projects to be delivered in 2024-25

  • Commencement of the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline upgrade to increase water security for our region.
  • Completion of a new pipeline connecting Birregurra to the Colac water supply system.
  • Completion of major upgrades to the Barwon Heads sewer pipeline.
  • Commencement of water pipeline upgrades in in Queenscliff.
  • Upgrade and replacement of more than 30 kilometres km of sewerage pipelines around Geelong, Surf Coast, Bellarine, Colac and surrounding areas to ensure quality and reliable services.
  • Renew 6.5km of water mains.
  • The transformation of Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk (the former Bellarine Basin site) into 30 hectares of environmental and public open space, which is on track to be complete and open to the broader community by the end of 2024.
  • Support for residential and business customers to use water efficiently and save money.
  • Power the region’s water and waste-water services using 100 per cent renewable (zero emissions) electricity – which is equivalent to over 30 gigawatt hours of electricity annually or roughly equal to 6000 homes’ electricity use.

“We are focused on delivering projects and services that contribute to a more sustainable, efficient and equitable future for our region,” he said.

For full details of the Barwon Water price changes for 2024-25 visit: Fees and charges - Barwon Water

About Price Submissions

All Victorian water corporations, including Barwon Water, are required to develop and submit price submissions, generally every five years. Price Submissions outline the prices customers pay for water and sewerage, service standards, and infrastructure and operational investments over a defined period (the current period being 2023-2028)

Submissions are reviewed and determined by the Essential Services Commission.

The Essential Services Commission acts as an independent “umpire”, established by the Victorian Government, to regulate providers of essential services such water, gas and electricity so that their prices are fair and reasonable for consumers.

The Essential Services Commission approved Barwon Water’s 2023-2028 Price Submission in June 2023.