Water rate rise granted

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have approved new water, sewerage and stormwater charges that will result in a 7.2 per cent rise to an average household bill across the next two years.

For Gosford Council residents the price of water is proposed to increase from $1.67 to $1.89 per kilolitre over the next four years.

For the average local family, the total bill will increase by approximately 3.8 per cent, an average each year over four years.

This represents a total increase of around $133 over four years, equal to an increase of approximately $2.60 per week in 2012 to 2013.

In determining the charges for the four years, IPART took into consideration the costs incurred by Gosford council to ensure water supply security, implement system upgrades and maintain service standards.

According to council's Director of Water and Sewer Mr Rod Williams, the new pricing scheme is reflective of the efficient and prudent expenditure outlaid by council in supplying and maintaining its water, sewerage and stormwater services to the community.

He said council welcomed IPART's final determination as it recognised the significant investments made by council and the future works planned to secure a sustainable water supply and maintain service standards for residents.

"Over $100 million dollars has been invested in works such as groundwater bores, water recycling plants and system upgrades since prices were last determined by IPART in 2006", Mr Williams said.

"These works can supply our region with up to an additional 15,000 ML of water per year, which assists in reducing the demand on our existing drinking water storages and providing water security into the future.

"Council has also invested considerable expenditure in upgrading stormwater and sewerage services to ensure the continued protection of Central Coast waterways from environmental degradation.

"The new pricing scheme will allow council to continue with over $180 million in critical projects such as the Mardi-Mangrove Link, major upgrades to sewage treatment plants and ongoing maintenance to ageing infrastructure."

Mr Williams noted that "as the water service charge remains constant over the four years, customers have the ability to control their bills by managing the volume of water they consume".

"Council will continue to provide hardship relief to those customers that have difficulty paying bills and welcomes IPART recommendation that the government review the level of pensioner rebates available," Mr Williams said.

"Following council's endorsement, new charges will come into effect from July 1, this year."

Council recommends that residents seeking more information about the price increases view the final determination online at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au

Press release, 15 May 2009 Rod Williams, Gosford Council