ESC Release Final Decision on Water Plans

24 June 2008 

The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has released its final decision on water and sewerage prices for Victorian water customers to apply for five years from 1 July 2008.

The average annual price increase for urban water customers supplied by 13 regional water businesses across the state ranges between 4.3 percent and 14.9 percent (before adjusting for inflation).

Goulburn Valley Water’s Managing Director, Mr Peter Quinn said that the impact on Goulburn Valley Water’s customers (excluding inflation) will be an average increase of 7.7% per year over the 5 year period. Whilst this increase is significant, the average household water bill for Goulburn Valley Water customers will remain the lowest in the state for the five year period of the Water Plan.

Mr Quinn said that as part of the decision the ESC has approved Goulburn Valley Water’s submission to invest $113 million of capital expenditure in new and improved water and wastewater infrastructure across the region. Some of the projects in the capital program over the five year period include:

• Broadford Water Supply Pipeline - $15.2m

• Alexandra to Eildon Water Supply Pipeline - $7.1m

• Small Town Water Quality Improvements (including Girgarre, Katandra West, Katamatite, Stanhope, Dookie, Colbinabbin, Bonnie Doon and Sawmill Settlement) - $10.7m

• Numurkah raw water storage -$4.2m

• Tongala Water Treatment Plant upgrade - $2.7m

• Tatura Wastewater Management Facility upgrade - $2.2m

Copies of the final decision, determinations for each business and fact sheets are available on the Commission’s website www.esc.vic.gov.au.

Authorised By P.A. Quinn, 104-110 Fryers Street Shepparton