A Melbourne Water proposal to charge Quiet Lakes residents for bore flushing and water quality monitoring services has been approved by the state’s water price regulator.
The Essential Services Commission has approved Melbourne Water’s plan to collect a user pays charge on properties next to Legana and Illawong lakes.
The decision follows consultation with local residents on the proposal with 11 submissions showing support for the bore flushing and monitoring. Most submissions argued the cost should be covered by general charges levied on all Melbourne Water customers.
In making its decision however, the Commission found the primary beneficiaries of the bore flushing service and monitoring are the properties bordering the two lakes, therefore a user pays approach is appropriate.
Chairman Dr Ron Ben-David says the final decision cut the cost per property from $156 to $118 a year.
“Our assessment showed the cost of delivering the service, including the bore flushing itself and monitoring water quality could be done more efficiently.
“These savings meant the cost per property could be reduced by almost $40 to $118 a year,” he said.
The bore flushing charge will apply to 251 properties next to Lake Legana and Lake Illawong for the next four years (2017-18 to 2020-21) from 1 July 2017. The charge will not apply to other Melbourne Water customers.
