Our prices

We plan to keep bills as low as possible over the next five years and, in a challenging environment, will increase debt rather than pass all costs onto customer bills.

We’ve worked with our customers and community to develop a price submission that delivers the outcomes they value, while fulfilling our obligations and addressing the challenges that face our region.

Read our 2023-28 price submission.

Over the past 10 years, our bills for owners and renters have increased by less than CPI. We have worked hard to keep prices as low as possible, however this is not financially sustainable and small price increases, together with increased borrowings, are planned to ensure reliable, accessible and environmentally responsible services.

This means the bill for an average residential customer will increase by $10 or less a year, and the typical renter’s bill will rise by less than $5 a year.

Major projects and initiatives planned over the period include:

  • Complete the upgrade of the Warrnambool Sewage Treatment Plant
  • $20 million for water system renewals and $15 million for sewerage system renewals
  • $16 million in water quality improvements for targeted areas
  • $6 million to enhance the treated water quality at Warrnambool’s Sewage Treatment Plant
  • $5 million to enhance water treatment systems in Balmoral, Camperdown, Cavendish, Cobden, Glenthompson and Simpson
  • $4 million to service new residential growth areas in Warrnambool’s Hopkins Point and Wollaston Road areas
  • Further investment in renewable energy to achieve net-zero emissions
  • A new billing and customer relationship management system
  • Increasing support for customers in financial difficulty.

Price approvals

Our tariffs and miscellaneous charges are approved by one of two methods:

Tariffs

Tariffs are regulated by the Essential Services Commission and set by resolution of the Board. Tariffs, including water, sewerage and regulated trade waste prices, are listed in Pricing Attachment 1 - Tariffs 2023/2024 and are set in accordance with Section 260 of the Water Act 1989.

Miscellaneous Charges

Miscellaneous charges are set by resolution of the Board or the Managing Director under delegation. Some miscellaneous charges are regulated by the Essential Services Commission. Other charges are listed in Pricing Attachment 2 - Schedule of Charges 2023/2024 and are set in accordance with Section 264 of the Water Act 1989. Note that Attachment 2 identifies the charges regulated by the Essential Services Commission.

Consistent with section 274(4A) of the Water Act 1989, if the person liable to pay the charge is the owner of the relevant property, that debt is a statutory charge secured against the title to that property.