We are reviewing the prices to apply for South East Water customers from 1 July 2023.
South East Water price review 2023
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Guidance paper26 October 2021
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South East 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
Overview
We are reviewing the prices to apply for South East Water customers from 1 July 2023.
South East 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 South East 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 South East Water's proposals
Our consultation on South East Water's price submission closed on 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 South East Water's price submission
Bills are proposed to decrease (excluding inflation)
Typical annual residential owner occupier water bills for 2023-24 will be $908 before inflation, decreasing from $967 in 2022-23 and will remain unchanged until 2027-28. This excludes inflation, which is added to bills each year.
Tariffs changes are proposed
South East Water will reduce its fixed water and sewage service charges by 5.79 per cent in 2023-24 (before inflation), then increase it by inflation until 2028.
South East Water proposes removing the residential sewage disposal charge and introduce water-only customers.
Five outcome commitments
South East Water worked with its customers to develop five major outcomes, with measures and targets to track its performance. South East Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:
- 'Get the basics right, always'
- 'Warn me, inform me'
- 'Fair and affordable for all'
- 'Make my experience better'
- 'Support my community, protect our environment'.
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. South East 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 | 1106 | 1115 | 1124 | 1134 | 1144 | 1154 |
| Tenants | 207 | 212 | 216 | 220 | 225 | 229 |
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 | 1121 | 1131 | 1141 | 1151 | 1161 | 1171 |
| Medium non-residential | 4191 | 4228 | 4267 | 4306 | 4347 | 4389 |
| Large non-residential | 15982 | 16164 | 16351 | 16544 | 16741 | 16944 |
Next steps
We are 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
Feedback on South East Water's price submission
We consulted on South East Water's price submission until 1 December 2022 mostly via Engage Victoria. We received 5 submissions that included feedback on proposed pricing, proposed changes in tariffs engagement, and waterways management.
We consider all feedback in our draft decision on South East Water's proposals.
Guidance
Our guidance to South East Water on preparing its price submission.