The Victorian Government is investing in water infrastructure to improve water security and keep water prices low.
Victoria’s continued growth is putting particular pressure on water infrastructure, which is why the Victorian Government is delivering water security with key investments such as the desalination plant, the Connections Project and the Lance Creek pipeline project in Gippsland.
The State Government has invested $690 million over the last four years to protect Victoria’s water supply and support a healthy environment, including $215 million for water and irrigation infrastructure.
This ongoing investment for water and sewerage services not only provides water security, but drives regional economic growth and provides environmental and recreational benefits to protect communities and jobs.
Victorian Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said, “We’re boosting water security and building the infrastructure Victorians need, while keeping water bills down.”
The State Government has also worked with water corporations to keep water prices low.
The release of the Essential Services Commission (ESC) final pricing decision in late May 2018 for four of the state’s 17 water corporations – Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, East Gippsland Water and Westernport Water – confirms prices for Victorians will remain amongst the lowest in Australia.
The decision will keep Melbourne’s water prices lower than Sydney (by $82), Canberra (by $133), Adelaide (by $162) and Darwin (by $743) each year.
Water bills fell three per cent in 2017 and between four and eight per cent before that.
In the metro area, the average typical household bill will fall by $30 to $40 a year, saving between $150 and $200 over five years and relieving cost of living pressures for Victorians.
All proposed increases are thoroughly assessed by the ESC to ensure they are fair and tied to new services or infrastructure as the sector adapts to the challenges of population growth and increased demand.
