Victoria’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) has proposed to approve an additional three per cent increase to water prices for Barwon Water customers in the 2012-13 year to reflect the cost of the Melbourne to Geelong Pipieline.

 

The Commission’s draft decision on Barwon Water’s price application proposes an approved three per cent increase, on top of the already approved seven per cent to Barwon Water’s water prices in 2012-13, and is subject to the pipeline being completed and in service. A final decision will be delivered in June.

 

The approval comes after Barwon Water had applied for an increase of 3.5 per cent for the 2012-13 period across water, sewerage and trade waste prices.

 

Commission Chairperson Dr Ron Ben-David said a price increase would enable Barwon Water to recover construction costs associated with the Melbourne to Geelong Pipeline, which would contribute to the security of water supply for Barwon Water.

 

“The Commission is aware of the impact of price rises on customers, and we will continue to ensure that Barwon Water has in place measures to help address affordability and hardship issues”, Dr Ben-David said.

 

The Commission will hold public meetings in Geelong and Colac on Monday 14 May to outline the draft decision, as follows:

 

Geelong: 12 pm-2 pm, Geelong Conference Centre (Adams Court, Eastern Park, East Geelong) Colac:  4.30 pm-6.30 pm, Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre (Cnr Rae and GellibrandStreets, Colac).

 

The full draft decision can be found here