Community feedback is sought on a draft decision to limit increases in WaterNSW’s regulated charges for bulk water services in regional and rural NSW to inflation of about 3.7 per cent from July 1, 2024.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will consider all stakeholder feedback before finalising its annual review of WaterNSW’s charges that will apply for the 2024/2025 financial year.
IPART chair Carmel Donnelly said the charges relate to NSW’s nine valleys in the Murray Darling Basin and the Fish River Water Supply Scheme.
“There is currently no evidence of a sustained shift in water sales compared to the demand forecast we used to set prices in the 2021 determination,” Ms Donnelly said.
“Therefore, we do not consider it to be reasonably necessary to vary Water New South Wales’ charges in the Murray-Darling Basin and Fish River for 2024-25 except for inflation.
"We will consider the key factors affecting the availability and demand for water in regional and rural New South Wales during our next comprehensive review of Water New South Wales' charges, which is due to commence in September 2024."
IPART encourages customers and the community to make submissions on the draft report by May 15.
The draft report and supporting information are available at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au.
