June 28th, 2023Price Submission sets out water ‘price certainty’ for the next five years: CHW
Central Highlands Water says it welcomes the Essential Services Commission’s Price Submission final decision, which it believes sets out water pricing certainty for the next five years.
The local water authority last Friday said that through “extensive community engagement” the following key themes emerged: Customer Care, Equity, Sustainability and Reliable Services – to meet customers’ needs.
“Due to this customer and community influence, a balanced pricing plan has resulted, prioritising affordability of services with important future infrastructure investment needs,” CHW said in a public statement.
“We thank and acknowledge our customers and community, from across the region, for their participation during the development of our price submission over the past 18 months,” CHW said in the statement.
“Our price submission was informed by one of our biggest engagement programs to date. We spoke to more 1,000 customers across our region from all demographics, community groups, businesses, land developers, Councils and Traditional Owners and other stakeholders.
“We are confident the ESC has rigorously assessed all the information CHW provided. The ESC’s final decision focuses on affordable and reliable water and wastewater services. It also takes into consideration the need for us to invest $251 million in major projects like sewer services for future generations, water security upgrades in response to climate change, customer-focused digital technologies, infrastructure to support new development areas for our growing region.
“During our engagement, feedback from customers and the community was about keeping bills affordable, while supporting the need for CHW to invest in environmental sustainability and in new infrastructure projects, while also helping vulnerable customers who need additional support.
“We will continue to offer support to all customers, particularly those in need. We will do this by doubling support to vulnerable customers to $2.5 million over the five-year period.
“We will also ensure that future services are developed by working closely with our Traditional Owner and local Aboriginal community partners to achieve our joint aspirations.’
