Victorian residents are set to enjoy some of the lowest water prices in Australia over the next four years as a result of increased investment in infrastructure across the state.
The Essential Services Commission (ESC) released a finalised pricing decision for four of Victoria’s leading service providers last month, including Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, East Gippsland Water and Westernport Water.
Victorian Minister for Water Lisa Neville said the pricing decision will keep Melbourne’s water bills substantially lower than other Australian capitals.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure water corporations keep prices low for Victorian families,” she said.
“These are good numbers that will relieve real cost of living pressures for Victorians.”
Victorians are expected to pay $82 less than Sydney siders, $133 less than Canberrans, $162 less than Adelaide residents and $743 less than Darwin residents on average each year.
Neville said the savings are a result of key investments in Victorian infrastructure, including $215 million invested in water and irrigation infrastructure in the past four years.
“We’re boosting water security and building the infrastructure Victorians need, while keeping water bills down,” she said.
The Victorian government has also made investments into the state’s desalination plant, the Connections Project and the Lance Creek pipeline project in Gippsland.
In Melbourne’s metro area, the average household bill will fall by $30 to $40 a year, reducing the cost of living for Victorians.
Pricing decisions for the 13 other water service providers in Victoria are expected to be finalised in June.
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