KEY THEME 1: THE BEST PRICE FOR CUSTOMERS
1B) CHOICE ON THE SPLIT OF FIXED VERSUS VARIABLE CHARGES - THROUGH A TARIFF STRUCTURE TRIAL AT COBRAM AND KILMORE
About this project
Goulburn Valley Water's current pricing structure means that, generally, customers pay fixed and variable components in their bill, these are fixed service charges for water and sewer services and a variable charge for water consumption, based on a per-kilolitre cost respectively. The fixed charges cover the cost of building, operating and maintaining our extensive infrastructure networks.
During the engagement for our Price Submission customers told us that having more control over their bill was an area of high concern. One of the ways we could do this is by changing our tariffs.
Online surveys indicated a strong interest in revision of our tarrif structure to reduce the fixed charges in favour of higher volumetrc charges. This was also supported by conversations with customers at Water Cafes.
Some customers felt they would benefit financially from lower fixed water costs and higher water usage costs. The effect this would have on all customers will vary depending on each individual household, therefore, there is much to consider before GVW will decided to implement and changes to the tarrif structure. More information on our tariff structure is available here.
What we are doing to progress this
Some customers in Cobram and Kilmore have been randomly selected to participate in the trial. We will work with these customers to understand how changes to their bills affect them and their satisfaction with the trial.
By 30 June 2022 we will have decided if we will extend or vary the trial, or adopt a new tariff structure. If we do not meet this deadline we will make a Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) payment in the way of a $5 credit to each of our residential customers.
Download a PDF Information Sheet here