IPART is reviewing costs and prices for water and water-related services provided by Sydney Water, Hunter Water, WaterNSW and the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation (WAMC).
Tribunal Chair Carmel Donnelly said Sydney Water, Hunter Water, WaterNSW and WAMC have submitted detailed pricing proposals which outline their proposed prices for 2025 to 2030 as well as how they plan to deliver customer outcomes.
“Each of the water businesses is proposing cost and price increases,” Ms Donnelly said. “IPART’s price reviews will assess whether these proposed cost increases are justified so that customers pay only what water businesses need to efficiently deliver their services to customers.”
“We know people rely on good quality water and wastewater services. We will closely review the pricing proposals to determine whether they promote value for money, are in the interests of customers, and deliver the outcomes customers need and want.’
“IPART will thoroughly examine the proposed costs and prices. We will carefully consider the impacts of the price proposals on household budgets, service standards, the environment, and the economy more broadly. Our review will include examining how water businesses propose to invest in and maintain critical infrastructure, so long term customer needs are delivered,” said Ms Donnelly.
IPART invites stakeholder input on the pricing proposals and encourages community members to review the Issues Papers available on IPART’s website.
“The Issues Papers highlight some key questions we’re keen to hear feedback on including how water businesses have engaged with and understood their customers and communities, their proposed costs and service levels, and customer outcomes, including affordability of prices,” Ms Donnelly said.
“We will consider all comments made through the website and in submissions, and we will hold online public hearings for each proposal between 14-21 November which are an opportunity to provide feedback directly to the Tribunal and IPART staff.”
Submissions are due by 9 December 2024. IPART’s Issues Papers, the pricing proposals and public hearing registration are available on IPART’s website.
IPART will consider all feedback from this consultation, as well as our own detailed analysis and we will publish draft reports with our draft pricing decisions and invite further consultation in March 2025.
The prices set in these reviews will apply from 1 July 2025.
Media Contact: Mark O’Brien
0427 105 865