Goulburn Valley Water is proposing to steadily increase the price of water over the next five years.
While the region has comparatively cheap water, managing director Steve Capewell said GVW had developed a plan that balanced fairness, affordability and planning for the challenges of the future.
Under the draft plan, a medium-sized household would face annual charges of $933 in 2023 rising to $1140 by 2028.
For a large household or a home with a large garden, the annual cost would rise from $1160 to $1417.
Dr Capewell said the plan balanced the need for investment in the region and sustainable services with affordability, and customers were encouraged to have a say on the draft plan by the August 14 deadline.
Every five years GVW develops a pricing submission, which sets out proposed prices, services and projects which were then submitted to the Essential Services Commission.
“We know our climate is changing and more people are living regionally, so we must prepare for a future where we can provide services that meet our customers’ needs,” Dr Capewell said.
“We want to invest in our infrastructure so we can keep delivering the services that customers trust sustainably, as well as leading projects that improve the health and prosperity of our region.”
Dr Capewell said based on customer feedback, the plan had been developed to give customers what they wanted at the lowest possible price.
“Customers have told us they want us to keep bills affordable, but they also support us investing to maintain and improve infrastructure, as well as meeting our net zero carbon emissions target by 2035,” he said.
“We know that financial pressures can affect any one at any time, so we’re investing more to support customers who may have trouble paying their water bill and encourage people to speak to us to see how we can help.”
The plan included an additional $74 million in capital expenditure creating $245 million to invest in assets and infrastructure to cater for population growth and climate impacts.
Over the plan, an additional $3 million would be spent to reach net zero emissions goals through locally beneficial carbon emissions reduction projects.
And $2 million in additional funding had been set aside for programs to support customers who had trouble paying their bill.
Dr Capewell said the draft plan was the culmination of more than two years’ work, including engaging with more than 2300 customers through focus groups, surveys and interviews.
“We wanted our submission to genuinely reflect what customers have told us is important so we’ve continued to engage to make sure our plan meets their needs,” he said.
For information and to have your say, visit gvwater.vic.gov.au/thinkbeyondwater