‘Savings incentive’ in water bill spilt

Average household water bills will rise at rates little more than inflation over the next five years under a proposed new pricing system.
Barwon Water sought feedback on the plan this week while officially opening its $32 million headquarters redevelopment in central Geelong.
The pricing plan would progressively widen the difference between fixed service and volume-usage charges, with the latter increasing as a portion of bills.
The split would lift the volume share from 68 to 74 per cent by 2023, giving consumers “more control over their bills,” Barwon Water managing director Tracey Slatter said.
“The proposed change means that even more than ever by using less water the average household can influence their total water bill.”
Prices would increase only by inflation over the next two financial years before additional 0.9 per cent rises annually until 2023, Ms Slatter said.
The proposed billing system’s incentive for saving water would reduce Barwon Water’s need for additional revenue from customers, she said.
“(It) places less demand on our water resources and allows Barwon Water to delay major expenditure on new water sources, thereby keeping costs down over the longer term and reducing the total revenue needed to provide a secure water supply into the future.”
Barwon Water is seeking feedback online before submitting the pricing proposal to the Essential Services Commission for approval.
Water Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville officiated at the headquarters opening on Wednesday.
The building’s “five green star rating” made it “one of Geelong’s greenest businesses,” she said.