We are reviewing the prices to apply for Westernport Water customers from 1 July 2023.
Westernport Water price review 2023
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Guidance paper26 October 2021
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Westernport Water price submission30 September 2022
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Consultation on price submission closes1 December 2022
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Draft decision20 December 2022
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Consultation on draft decision closes10 March 2023
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Final decisionMay 2023
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New prices apply1 July 2023
Overview
We are reviewing the prices to apply for Westernport Water customers from 1 July 2023
Westernport 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 Westernport Water may charge customers.
We are sought feedback from customers and stakeholders at multiple points throughout the price review process to inform our decision-making process.
Our draft decision on Westernport Water's price submission
Following our consultation on Westernport Water’s price submission, we released a draft decision in December 2022.
Consultation on our draft decision closed on Friday 10 March 2023.
Submissions can be viewed in the resources tab of this page.
Public forum
We held an online public forum for stakeholders to find out more about our draft decision on Westernport Water prices to apply from 1 July 2023.
The forum took place at 1pm on Thursday 16 February 2023.
Key facts about our draft decision
Bills are proposed to increase
Typical annual residential owner occupier water bill is $1,227 for 2022-23 and will increase to $1,230 in 2023-24. An increase of $3 with no further increases for the remaining four years. This excludes inflation, which is added to bills each year.
Tariff changes are proposed
Over 2023 to 2028, Westernport Water proposes to reduce its fixed water service charge by 1.6 per cent and increase variable water charges by up to 3.8 per cent to provide greater control over bills.
Six outcome commitments
Westernport Water worked with its customers to develop six major outcomes, with measures and targets to track its performance. Westernport Water’s outcome commitments to its customers are:
- 'Provide me with high-quality drinking water'
- 'Reduce your environmental impact and adapt to climate change'
- 'Resolve sewer blockages quickly'
- 'Keep water interruptions to a minimum'
- 'Be there when I need you'
- 'Keep my essential services affordable'.
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. Westernport 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 | 1227 | 1230 | 1230 | 1230 | 1230 | 1230 |
| Tenants | 186 | 193 | 193 | 193 | 193 | 193 |
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 | 2096 | 2134 | 2134 | 2134 | 2134 | 2134 |
| Medium non-residential | 2415 | 2465 | 2465 | 2465 | 2465 | 2465 |
| Large non-residential | 3574 | 3668 | 3668 | 3668 | 3668 | 3668 |
Westernport Water's price submission
We consulted on Westernport Water's price submission until 1 December 2022. Submissions can be viewed in the resources tab of this page.
Next steps
We are considering submissions received and expect to release a final decision and determination in May 2023.
Find out more
Read about how we regulate the water sector or contact us for more information.
Resources
Feedback on Westernport Water draft decision
We consulted our draft decision from 20 December to 10 March 2023. We received one submission.
See our Submissions Policy for how we approach anonymous and confidential submissions.
Westernport Water's price submission
Feedback on Westernport Water price submission
We consulted on Westernport Water's price submission until 1 December 2022 mostly via Engage Victoria. We received five submissions including two confidential submissions. Submissions included feedback on changes in variable charges, engagement and waterways management.
We consider all feedback in our draft decision on Westernport Water's proposals.
See our Submissions Policy for how we approach anonymous and confidential submissions.
Guidance
Our guidance to Westernport Water on preparing its price submission.