The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its final determination on water, sewerage and stormwater drainage pricing for the Central Coast, returning rates to levels that can see Council better maintain its vast water and sewer operations.

IPART announced it would stagger the rate changes from 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2026 to allow customers more time to manage the impacts on their bills, which was requested within community feedback during consultation.

The pricing determination will see the combined yearly bill for a typical household increase by the following increments, plus inflation:

• 17 percent on 1 July 2022 ($183 increase)
• 6 percent in 2023-24 ($80 increase)
• 8 percent in 2024-25 ($106 increase)
• 1 percent in 2025-26 ($9 increase)

Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said the rate changes will allow Council to provide services that match community expectations.

“IPART’s determination will allow Council to invest in our water and sewer operations and increase the quality of these services for the community. The new pricing structure provides a correction to water and sewer charges which were significantly reduced as a result of the 2019 IPART determination,” Mr Loader said.

“This meant that Council had to continue to provide water and sewer services even though ratepayers had reduced rates equating to a loss of approximately $120 million in revenue to Council over the last three years to deliver these services.

“Council’s pricing submission to IPART was shaped by community feedback and the change is vital to ensure the maintenance and development of critical infrastructure and to meet the service levels our community expects. We’re now encouraging locals to review the final determination for our region to understand the change.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the determination better balances services levels, costs and community need. 

“Council welcomes this final determination. The Central Coast currently has the lowest water prices in NSW, and this change to pricing levels will ensure we can increase the current service levels to better meet the needs of our community whilst still remaining the third lowest compared to typical customer bills of the large water businesses in Australia,” Mr Hart said.

“IPART has carefully balanced customer concerns about price increases with the need to ensure Council has enough funding to improve its delivery and network operations and maintain its assets.”
 
Community members can review the pricing for the water, sewerage and stormwater drainage pricing determination for the Central Coast by visiting IPART’s website.

ENDS

Editor's notes 
Key features of the determination

• Typical household bills will increase by 17 percent on 1 July 2022 ($183 increase), 6 percent in 2023-24 ($80 increase), 8 percent in 2024-25 ($106 increase) and 1 percent in 2025-26 ($9 increase), as well as by inflation.
• Price increases will be phased in over the next four years to give customers more time to manage the impact.
• IPART has carefully balanced customer concerns about price increases with the need to ensure Council has enough funding to improve its delivery and network operations and maintain its assets.