Regulator approves 2024–25 water prices for Victorian water businesses

The Essential Services Commission has confirmed the prices to apply in 2024-25 for Victoria's 16 water businesses.

Typical water bills will generally rise in line with inflation over 2024-25. Average bills for owner-occupier households are set to rise, after inflation, by around $33 (three per cent) in Melbourne and by around $50 (four per cent) in regional Victoria.

Customers of Barwon Water and Yarra Valley Water will have the lowest bill increases at $30, while Coliban Water customers will have the highest bill increase of $91.

Melbourne Water's annual waterways and drainage charges will increase, after inflation, for residential properties by $4 (from $118 to $122) and for non-residential properties by $7 (from $178 to $185).

The commission has approved rural water prices, with changes of around inflation in 2024-25 for most Southern Rural Water, Lower Murray Water and Goulburn Murray Water customers.

Pricing outcomes reflect the commission's review of 2024-25 tariffs for 16 water businesses under their existing price determinations, and detailed price reviews for Greater Western Water and Goulburn-Murray Water, finalised in June 2024.

The commission's Executive Director of Price Monitoring and Regulation Marcus Crudden says water bills vary depending on factors such as water usage, changes in borrowing costs and inflation.

'Across the state customers will benefit from increasing investment by water businesses to maintain service quality and reliability, and to address key challenges such as climate change.

'If you are having trouble paying your water bill, contact your water business. They can offer help through payment plans or assistance with applications for utility relief grants, information on concessions, and tips on how to reduce your water usage,' Mr Crudden said.

Indicative household bills - water and sewerage - for typical residential owner-occupiers, based on average household consumption in each region

Metropolitan customers

Water business	Avg. use (kL p.a.)	2023-24 annual bill	2024-25 annual bill	$ change	% change
Greater Western Water* (Central region)	150	$1,007	$1,038	$31	3.1%
Greater Western Water* (Western region)	150	$1,099	$1,134	$35	3.2%
South East Water	150	$990	$1,027	$38	3.8%
Yarra Valley Water	150	$1,049	$1,079	$30	2.8%
Avg. bill change metro		$1,036	$1,070	$33	3.2%

* Prices for Greater Western Water were set through the 2024 price review

Regional customers

Water business	Avg. use (kL p.a.)	2023-24 annual bill	2024-25 annual bill	$ change	% change
Barwon Water	160	$1,141	$1,171	$30	2.6%
Central Highlands Water	150	$1,298	$1,353	$54	4.2%
Coliban Water	190	$1,472	$1,562	$91	6.2%
East Gippsland Water	141	$1,331	$1,385	$54	4.1%
Goulburn Valley Water	260	$958	$998	$40	4.2%
Gippsland Water	165	$1,416	$1,465	$48	3.4%
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water	240	$1,396	$1,447	$50	3.6%
Lower Murray Water (urban)	480	$1,096	$1,142	$46	4.2%
North East Water	200	$1,040	$1,081	$41	3.9%
South Gippsland Water	121	$1,265	$1,324	$59	4.7%
Wannon Water	142	$1,193	$1,247	$54	4.5%
Westernport Water	88	$1,317	$1,366	$49	3.7%
Avg. bill change regional		$1,244	$1,295	$51	4.1%

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