IPART is reviewing the maximum prices that Hunter Water can charge customers to provide water, wastewater, stormwater, and other water-related services. The prices we set in this review will apply from 1 July 2025 for 5 years.
We have published our Draft Report
Our draft maximum prices would see typical household bills for water and wastewater services increase by around $48 (or 3.6%) each year over 5 years plus yearly inflation. This is lower than the yearly increases under Hunter Water’s proposed prices (of $71 or 5.2% per year). This would result in typical household bills increasing from $1,241 in 2024-25 to $1,481 by 2029-30, plus inflation.
In reaching our draft decisions we considered expert advice from Houston Kemp on the efficient level of Hunter Water’s operating and capital expenditure. We also took into account all feedback received from stakeholders, our legislative responsibilities, and the following factors as required by the NSW Government:
- the cost-of-living impacts of Hunter Water’s prices
- the effectiveness of existing rebates to manage the social impacts of Hunter Water’s prices
- opportunities to adjust project timelines to minimise price impacts and, if necessary, to reduce the proposed capital programs in line with least cost planning principles
- deliverability of the proposed capital plans based on capability and market conditions.
Our draft decisions accept most of Hunter Water’s proposal and reflect the efficient costs of Hunter Water providing its services. We found that Hunter Water’s price proposal balances the need to limit price increases in a time of high cost of living with continued investment to maintain critical assets and deliver on priority customer outcomes.
You can use our bill calculator to find out what our draft decisions could mean for you.
We want to hear from you
We are seeking stakeholder views on our draft decisions and invite all stakeholders to make a submission to our draft report, or fill out our survey to have your say by 6 May 2025. We will consider all stakeholder views before reaching our final decisions in June 2025.