The Essential Services Commission’s newly released Water Performance Report 2023-24 reveals that water rates have surged across the state, with a typical owner’s bill in regional Victoria going up by $93 to $1217.
The main culprits for these increases are high annual inflation and a 4.2 per cent rise in water consumption due to a drier year than 2022-23.
“Higher bills alongside general cost-of-living pressures led to increased customers seeking financial hardship support,” Essential Services Commission chair Gerard Brody said.
“The data shows us more customers needed help to pay their water bills in 2023-24.
“Although some businesses performed well, I encourage all businesses to do more to prioritise hardship support.”
The findings indicate a mixed bag of responses among water providers.
Alarmingly, five regional water businesses have disconnected service for 169 customers due to unpaid bills – a first since the suspension of such practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victorian water customers have the right to seek financial help without the threat of legal action or service restrictions from their water providers, and the Water Industry Standards prohibit water companies from imposing such penalties.
“Victorian water businesses are obligated to provide additional help to customers who are experiencing financial hardship,” Mr Brody said.
Despite this, the report highlighted disparities in assistance for individuals in the Goulburn Valley.
Here, typical annual water bills for owner-occupiers jumped from $841 in 2022-23 to $937 in 2023-24, while renters saw an increase from $247 to $297.
Though the average value of hardship grants has improved, rising from $161 to $294, the number of customers receiving these grants has drastically decreased – from 0.56 per cent to just 0.18 per cent this year.
Mr Brody urged any Victorian water customer struggling to pay their bills to talk to their water business as soon as possible.
“(They can) inform customers about the availability of financial support like Utility Relief Grants and financial hardship grants and help customers apply for them,” he said.
For further insights and the full Essential Services Commission Water Performance Report 2023-24, visit https://tinyurl.com/7w689mvw
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