The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its annual Water Monitoring Report for 2021-22, shedding light on the state of water charges in the Murray-Darling Basin. 

The report delves into regulated water charges, compliance with water rules by infrastructure operators, and transformation arrangements within this vital Australian river system.

The key findings underscore the significant variation in regulated water charges across the Murray-Darling Basin states during the 2021-22 period. These variations were primarily driven by wet conditions that prevailed, ensuring high water availability across the Basin.

Mick Keogh, Deputy Chair of the ACCC, says the report is important in keeping stakeholders informed about changes in regulated water charges and the irrigation market within the Murray-Darling Basin, one of Australia's largest and most intricate river systems. 

The report is structured by state, highlighting how state government policies significantly affect on-river typical bills. 

Here is a snapshot of the findings for each state:

Queensland: In 2021-22, typical on-river bills for Sunwater's irrigation customers were notably lower, between six and fifteen percent, compared to the previous year. The Queensland Government's discounts and rebates played a pivotal role in reducing charges for irrigators, especially horticulturalists.

New South Wales: In contrast, typical on-river bills for WaterNSW customers experienced a substantial increase in 2021-22. This surge was attributed to rising input costs and the cessation of the New South Wales drought relief waiver for fixed government charges.

Victoria: Charges levied by Goulburn-Murray Water and Lower Murray Water in Victoria have fallen in real terms, having risen by less than inflation since 2019-20. Favourable water storage levels and substantial rainfall in 2021-22 contributed to this decline.

South Australia: South Australia witnessed a fall in real terms for typical bills of private diverters and customers of Central Irrigation Trust and Renmark Irrigation Trust. SA Water, however, stood out with the highest transportation customer charges among all monitored by the ACCC.

The report also noted that across all Basin states, the transformation of irrigation rights remained low in 2021-22, with a minimal volume of water delivery rights terminated, generally less than one percent. This suggests relative stability within the industry during the period.

Additionally, the ACCC reported receiving only seven complaints related to water matters in 2021-22, continuing a declining trend since 2018-19. Mick Keogh attributed this drop to the industry's mature understanding of the water rules, as these rules have been in effect for over 12 years.