Access charges to be unchanged for fourth straight year in draft budget
May 10, 2022
Riverina Water customers are set to continue to have some of the most affordable water costs in the state with the release of the county council’s draft budget for 2022-23.
With rising cost of living pressures being felt around the region, Riverina Water’s access charge will remain at $160 per annum for the fourth straight year, while a modest increase in water usage costs has been proposed of 1.5%.
The news comes as a recent national research found 51% of Australians will struggle to pay an essential bill in the next three months.
“Riverina Water is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water at the lowest sustainable cost,” Riverina Water Chairperson, Councillor Tim Koschel, said.
“Our access fee was almost $20 cheaper than the state median in 2019-20 and we are proposing to keep that fee the same in 2022-23.
“Usage charges will increase by just 1.5%, which is about an $8 cost on a typical yearly residential water bill.
“An affordable access charge means can budget for the fixed cost and have greater control of their bill through managing their water usage.”
The pricing structure is part of Riverina Water’s draft four-year Delivery Program and 2022-23 Operational Plan, which is currently on public exhibition.
The draft plans includes an investment of more than $79M into capital works over the next four years. In 2022-23, there will be $5.67M spent on mains, services and meters; $4.83M on treatment plant costs; and $875,000 on reservoirs.
The draft Development Servicing Plan for Water Supply has also been placed on public exhibition, with a proposed reduction in charges.
“To reinvest almost $80M over four years in our network and infrastructure while keeping fees and charges affordable is no small feat and reflects the strong strategic direction of Riverina Water,” Cr Koschel said.
“Last year we froze the Development Servicing Charge with that fee reducing from $5053 per Equivalent Tenant in 2021-22 to our proposed $4348 in 2022-23.
“By keeping developer costs at a minimum we can foster growth across our supply area.
“All proposed fees and charges for the next financial year are on public exhibition and I encourage community members and businesses to review the plans and submit their feedback.”
Read the draft four-year Delivery Program and 2022-23 Operational Plan and the draft Development Servicing Plan for Water Supply in full and make a submission:
Submissions can be made online, posted to PO Box 456 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, dropped into our office at 91 Hammond Avenue, or faxed to 6921 2241. Public exhibition closes on 27 May.