We are reviewing the prices to apply for Central Highlands Water customers from 1 July 2023.
Central Highlands Water price review 2023
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Guidance paper26 October 2021
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Central Highlands Water price submission30 September 2022
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Consultation closes1 December 2022
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Draft decisionDecember 2022 to March 2023
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Final decisionMay to June 2023
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New prices apply1 July 2023
Overview
We are reviewing the prices to apply for Central Highlands Water customers from 1 July 2023.
Central Highlands Water submitted its proposed prices on 30 September 2022. We provided guidance for its price submission in October 2021 and the business has been engaging with customers in the months since.
We are assessing the proposal against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order, and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.
PREMO includes incentives for Victoria's water businesses to put forward their best offer to customers and deliver the outcomes its customers value most.
Following consultation, we issue a determination that sets the maximum prices that Central Highlands Water may charge customers.
We are seeking feedback from customers and stakeholders at multiple points throughout the price review process to inform our decision-making process.
Feedback on Central Highlands Water's proposals
We consulted on Central Highlands Water's price submission until 1 December 2022.
Submissions can be viewed in the resources tab of this page.
We will undertake further consultation upon release of our draft decision.
Key facts about Central Highlands Water's price submission
Bills are proposed to increase
Typical annual residential owner occupier water bills for 2023–24 will be $1,231, no change from 2022–23.
Average household bills will rise by about $10 or one per cent per year over 2024 to 2028. This excludes inflation which is added to bill each year.
No change to tariff structure is proposed
Central Highlands Water will maintain existing tariffs for 2023-28.
Overall prices will remain unchanged in 2023-24 and then increase by one per cent per year for each of the following years (before inflation).
Three outcome commitments
Central Highlands Water worked with its customers to develop three major outcomes, with measures and targets to track its performance. Central Highlands Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:
- 'Customer care'
- 'Equity'
- 'Sustainability'.
Proposed typical bills 2022–23 to 2027–28
Prices and tariffs are only part of the bill. Your actual bill depends on factors such as the amount of water and services you use. Central Highlands Water provided us with typical bills for different customer groups and water volumes.
Residential customers
Typical water and sewerage bills 2022–23 to 2027–28, excluding inflation.
| 2022–23 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | 2026–27 | 2027–28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner occupier | 1231 | 1231 | 1244 | 1256 | 1269 | 1281 |
| Tenants | 313 | 313 | 316 | 319 | 322 | 326 |
Non-residential customers
Typical water and sewerage bills 2022–23 to 2027–28, excluding inflation.
| 2022–23 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | 2026–27 | 2027–28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small non-residential | 1348 | 1348 | 1361 | 1375 | 1389 | 1402 |
| Medium non-residential | 3944 | 3944 | 3983 | 4023 | 4063 | 4104 |
| Large non-residential | 33148 | 33148 | 33479 | 33814 | 34152 | 34494 |
Next steps
We are in the process of preparing a draft decision on prices to apply from 1 July 2023.
Our draft decisions for the 14 water businesses are scheduled to be released in March 2023. High quality price submissions, however, may be fast-tracked through our assessment process and released in December 2022.
Find out more
Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.
Resources
Central Highlands Water's price submission
Feedback on Central Highlands Water price submission
We consulted on Central Highlands Water's price submission until 1 December 2022 mostly via Engage Victoria. We received 13 submissions including 1 confidential submission.
Themes from submissions included feedback on Central Highlands Water's proposed outcomes, proposed prices, its engagement, waterways management, as well as Central Highlands Water's approach to development and developer charges.
We consider all feedback in our draft decision on Central Highlands Water's proposals. See our Submissions Policy for how we approach anonymous and confidential submissions.
Guidance
Our guidance to Central Highlands Water on preparing its price submission.