We have approved the prices Lower Murray Water can charge from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.
Lower Murray Water price review 2023
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Guidance paper26 October 2021
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Lower Murray Water price submission30 September 2022
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Consultation closes1 December 2022
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Draft decision30 March 2023
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Consultation closes9 May 2023
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Final decision23 June 2023
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New prices apply1 July 2023
Overview
We have completed our review of the maximum prices and service levels to apply for Lower Murray Water customers from 1 July 2023.
We conducted our assessment against a legal framework established by the Victorian Government and set out in the Water Industry Regulatory Order (PDF), and the commission’s PREMO pricing framework.
You can find out more on how we engaged on this review at Engage Victoria. You can also view our final decision media release.
View our final decision and price determination
Key facts for urban customers
Typical urban water and sewerage bills will rise from 1 July 2023
Typical annual residential owner occupier water and sewerage bills for 2023-24 will be $1,096 (including inflation), 7.7 per cent increase from $1,018 in 2022-23.
Tariffs
There will be no changes to Lower Murray Water’s existing urban tariff structures.
Five outcome commitments
Lower Murray Water worked with its customers to develop outcomes, with accompanying measures and targets to track its performance each year.
Lower Murray Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:
- Provide customers value for money
- Provide customers with reliable and safe drinking water
- Provide customers with reliable sewerage services
- Provide customer service avenues that are responsive to resolve requests/enquiries
- Service our communities in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.
Key facts for rural customers
Prices
Under Lower Murray Water’s revised prices, generally prices will rise by less than inflation for most districts.
Tariffs
Irrigation tariff structures will remain unchanged.
Four outcome commitments
Lower Murray Water worked with its customers to develop four outcomes, with measures and targets to track its performance. Lower Murray Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:
- Provide customers with value for money
- Provide customers with water when they need it
- Provide customer service channels that are responsive to resolve requests and enquiries
- Service our communities in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.
Read our fact sheets on the final decision
Consultation on our draft decision
We consulted on our draft decision between 30 March and 9 May 2023. All feedback received informed our decision making process.
- We received two submissions.
- We held a public forum on 2 April 2023 attended by 15 people online and 20 in person, including representatives from the water business and commission staff.
- Lower Murray Valley Water provided a response to our draft decision.
Topics of discussion during the forum included:
- the allocation of costs between urban and rural customers
- the impact of inflation on prices
- the impact of recent events on the pricing submission
The recording of this forum can be accessed below.
The public submissions received are available in the resources tab of this page.
Find out more
Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.
Resources
Our final decision and price determination
Submissions on our draft decision
Feedback on Lower Murray Water's price submission
We consulted on Lower Murray Water's price submission until 1 December 2022 mostly via Engage Victoria. We received 3 submissions that were general in nature including on waterways management.
We consider all feedback in our draft decision on Lower Murray Water's proposals.
Guidance
Our guidance to Lower Murray Water on preparing its price submission.
Urban - Interactive fact sheet
In June 2023 the Essential Services Commission released its final decision on Lower Murray Water’s price submission. The final decision completes our review of the maximum prices that Lower Murray Water may charge for its services for a five-year regulatory period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.
Rural - Interactive fact sheet
In June 2023 the Essential Services Commission released its final decision on Lower Murray Water’s price submission. The final decision completes our review of the maximum prices that Lower Murray Water may charge for its services for a five-year regulatory period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2028.