THE Essential Services Commission has made its final decision on Central Highlands Water\u2019s five-year pricing plan, with typical water bills expected to increase by sixty-seven dollars a year.<\/p>\n
Annual bills are set to increase by 5.4 per cent from 1 July and from 2024 to 2028 they will increase another 0.6 per cent each year before inflation.<\/p>\n
Director of the Essential Services Commission, Marcus Crudden, said he\u2019s confident Central Highlands Water has initiatives in place to help vulnerable customers affected by the rate rises.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage customers to contact Central Highlands Water if they are experiencing difficulty paying bills, to discuss what assistance or arrangements can be made,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The plan was approved following consideration of Central Highlands Water\u2019s price submission to the Commission including community and customer input.<\/p>\n
\u201cCentral Highlands Water responded to our draft decision and requests for additional information, which allowed us to reach a decision on this matter,\u201d Mr Crudden said.<\/p>\n
Managing Director of Central Highlands Water, Jeff Haydon, welcomed the increase.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ESC\u2019s final decision focuses on affordable and reliable water and wastewater services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also takes into consideration the need for us to invest $251 million in major projects like wastewater services for future generations, water security upgrades in response to climate change, customer focused digital technologies, and infrastructure to support new development areas for a rapidly growing region.\u201d<\/p>\n
A statement from CHW said the utility will double its support services for vulnerable customers to $2.5 million over five years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Essential Services Commission has made its final decision on Central Highlands Water\u2019s five-year pricing plan, with typical water bills expected to increase by sixty-seven dollars a year. Annual bills are set to increase by 5.4 per cent from 1 July and from 2024 to 2028 they will increase another 0.6 per cent each year […]<\/p>\n