Council asks for water rate rise

Peninsula residents may face an increase of 140 per cent in their water service fees if an application by Gosford Council to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is successful.

Council has applied for new water, sewerage and stormwater drainage prices which would be effective from July 1 next year.

If approved, the average resident's water service fee would increase by 59 per cent in the first year and 140 per cent in the four year period, increasing from $99.28 to $238.04 per annum.

The annual sewerage service charge would increase by 14 per cent in the first year and by a total of 53 per cent in the four year period.

Storm water charges would also increase by 29 per cent in the first year and a total of 85 per cent over the four year period if approved.

The average total bill would increase by 22 per cent in the first year and 69 per cent over the four year period - from $716 per annum to over $1210 per annum.

Council's director of water and sewer Mr Rod Williams said new prices would help Council make multi-million dollar system improvements to its water and sewer networks, as well as maintaining and operating the existing system.

Improvements would include a major upgrade to the Woy Woy Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"We appreciate that any price increase can be a concern for residents and we will always strive to deliver services that provide value for money," Mr Williams said.

The community has the opportunity to comment on Council's submission until October 12, by lodging a submission to IPART.

A public hearing will be held on November 12, before IPART releases its draft pricing determination in February 2013 for further comment.

IPART's final price determination is expected in May 2013.

Media Release, 19 Sep 2012

Megan Low, Gosford Council